Obituary: Claire F. Wofford, 99, Of Wallingford

WALLINGFORD, CT — "Mary" Claire Wofford, 99, of Wallingford, loving wife of the late Andrew Wofford and mother of three, passed away peacefully at Masonicare, on September 17, 2022.

Claire was born June 3, 1923 in Brooklyn, NY to Louis and Genevieve (Kalt) Ford.

She was raised in Brooklyn, NY, attended St. Brendan’s High School and received her college degree from Brooklyn College. One weekend her brother, Louis, a cadet at the Coast Guard Academy, brought his classmate, Andy, home for the weekend. Love blossomed and on October 21,1944 Claire and Andrew Wakefield Wofford were married.

The city girl from Brooklyn and the small-town country boy from Arkansas complimented each other well. They raised three children, a son, Andrew and two daughters, Jeanne and Christine. They lived in Meriden, Huntington Long Island and later settled in Wallingford where they lived for over 30 years.

Claire called herself a “homemaker” and indeed she provided a warm and loving home for her husband and children. She stayed involved in the community by joining local clubs and was an active participant in the church where they lived. Claire was an excellent cook and baker. Her home was often filled with the tempting scents of freshly baked cookies. Claire was an avid fan of the UCONN women’s basketball teams. She expected them to be victorious and enthusiastically cheered them on each season. Claire was happiest when surrounded by her family.

Whether enjoying holiday events or everyday gatherings, she shined around loved ones. Some of the most memorable moments came from family reunion vacations on Emerald Isle, NC. These summer weeks shared with aunts, uncles and cousins were priceless and generated laughs and memories still shared today among the family.

Claire is preceded in death by her father, Louis, and mother, Genevieve; also, her sister, Frances, her brother, Louis and her niece and godchild, Patricia Schneck. She is survived by her three children, Andy (Christina) Wofford, Jeanne (Robert) Danielson and Christine (Richard) Socha, six grandchildren, Jeffrey (Susan) Danielson, David Wofford, Brian (Colleen) Wofford, Colleen Socha, Alex Socha and Dereck Socha, along with seven great grandchildren, Nathan, Keegan, Brady and Camden Wofford, Lexi and Zack Danielson, Miles Wofford-Kao, nieces, nephews and cousins, plus several grand nieces and nephews. All remembered with love.

Claire’s family will receive relatives and friends at the Wallingford Funeral Home on Thursday September 29, 2022 from 9 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. when the funeral cortege will proceed to Most Holy Trinity Church where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Interment will be in State Veterans’ Cemetery in Middletown. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either Holy Trinity School 11 N. Whittlesey Ave Wallingford, CT 06492 or Masonicare Home Health and Hospice located at 97 Barnes Rd Set 4, Wallingford, Ct 06492. Masks are optional and may be worn at each visitor’s preference.

For more information and to leave online condolences, visit Wallingford Funeral Home here.