Patricia “Trish” Michael LeClair

Patricia “Trish” Michael LeClair, age 65, passed away on Wednesday evening, May 22, 2024, at home with her family at her side.

Trish was born in Mobile, Alabama on October 17, 1958, to George Daniel and Ellen (Baxter) O’Shea. She was raised in Mobile, Alabama. Growing up in a military family, she and her family moved many times, but considered Mobile to be home. Trish graduated from high school in 1976 from Leilehua High School on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. After high school the family moved back to Mobile Alabama. She met her future husband, Jeffrey J. Claflin while he was stationed in the Coast Guard in Mobile, Alabama, marrying in 1985. The couple moved to Rhinelander in 1988. Jeffrey passed away in 2002. Trish met John LeClair in Rhinelander and the couple later married. She was employed for over 30 years as an optician with the Eye Clinic of Wisconsin, retiring in 2020.

She was a member of Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church, sharing her deep faith as an RCIA leader.

Trish enjoyed traveling to Washington, California, Alaska, Gulf Shores, Utah, and Las Vegas. She also enjoyed fishing, and camping, but most of all Trish loved her family, especially her grandchildren.

Surviving is her husband, John, children, Jeff (Kat) LeClair of Lansing, Michigan, Michael (Paige) Claflin of Superior, James (Amy) LeClair of Jefferson, and Amber (Robert) Gross of Rhinelander, eight grandchildren: Khaleesi, Lennon, Owen, Macie, Kale, Henry, Lila, and Brinley; sister, Tina (Wayne) Kirksey, of Mobile, Alabama, and her longtime friend, Krissy Hagar of Tomahawk. 

Also surviving are nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. 

Trish is preceded in death by her parents, George, and Ellen O’Shea, first husband, Jeffrey Claflin, and her brother, Danny O’Shea.

Trish was an avid football fan who enjoyed her Packers, Alabama Crimson Tide, and the Badgers. If she wasn’t shouting “Roll Tide Y’all” or “Go Pack Go,” she was making sure the refs knew that she knew better. 

In later years, she also became a big Brewers fan.

The visitation for Trish will take place on Saturday morning, June 15, 2024, at Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church, located at 125 E. King Street, from 9 a.m. until the 11 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial, with a eulogy and prelude music beginning at 10:40 a.m. Fr. Chris Kemp will officiate. 

Immediately following the mass there will be a procession to Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Cemetery for the committal service.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Hildebrand Funeral Home & Cremation Specialists, 24 E. Davenport Street, Rhinelander, Wisconsin, 54501, 715-365-4343. Everyone is invited to sign the guestbook or leave an online condolence at www.hildebrandrussfh.com.