Claire P. Collins, 88, of New Britain, CT. passed away peacefully Saturday, November 12, 2016. Claire was born in Great Barrington, MA on August 31, 1928, and was the oldest daughter of Frank and Helen (Schaefer) Page. She moved to Connecticut with her husband Gordon and their children in 1954. In 1956, the family moved to New Britain, where she lived for the remainder of her life. Claire was a 60-year member of the First Church of Christ Congregational and was active in the life of the church. For many years, she worked in a research laboratory at the UCONN Health Center where she made lifetime friends from all over the world.
Claire is survived by her five children: Kathleen Collins of Glastonbury, CT; Claudia Lefcheck of Norfolk, CT; David Collins of New Britain, CT; Jayne Collins of Glastonbury, CT; and Stephen Collins (Pam) of Bristol, CT. Claire will also be missed by her sisters, Virginia Robinson of MA, Wilma Hagen of TN, several of Gordon’s sisters, and her eight grandchildren: Daniel Liska, James Liska, Scott Lefcheck (Andrea), Tracy McConnell (Brian), Coreen Hermann Mojica (Joseph); Matthew Cianci; Lindsay Osak and Jamie Carrier (Kyle). She also leaves seven great-grandchildren, with another on the way, and was very much enjoying watching the great-grandchildren grow up. Claire leaves many nieces and nephews as well as lovely, wonderful friends and neighbors who added so much pleasure to her life. Claire was predeceased by her husband Gordon Collins.
A Celebration of Claire’s life will be held at First Church of Christ, Congregational, 830 Corbin Avenue, New Britain, CT on Sunday, November 27 at 1 PM. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, Claire requests donations in her name to the First Church of Christ, Congregational, 830 Corbin Avenue, New Britain, CT 06052. The family thanks the staff of the Hospice program at the Hospital of Central Connecticut (New Britain) for their compassionate care of Claire – and the family - during Claire’s final days. The Paul A. Shaker Funeral Home, 764 Farmington Ave., New Britain, CT has charge of arrangements. To extend condolences to the Collins family or to share a memory of Claire, please visit shakerfuneralhome.com.
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