Claire Wolkind

Claire V. Wolkind, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend, passed away on Saturday, July 26, 2025, in Tallahassee, Florida. Stylish and elegant, Claire had a gorgeous smile and was a bright light to all who knew her.

Claire was born in Middletown, New York, on October 22, 1935, to T. DeWitt and Elizabeth Cross VanderVoort. She attended Ursuline Academy in Middletown and graduated from The Madeira School in McLean, Virginia in 1955. She went on to complete a degree at the Katharine Gibb School in New York City.

In 1957 Claire married David F. Dickson in Middletown, and they later moved to Tallahassee, Florida, where David was on the faculty of the newly established Florida State University College of Law.

Claire was fortunate to have three wonderful sons – Tom (Johanna) of Haymarket, Virginia; David (Alexander) of Fort Lauderdale, Florida; and Paul (Brandi) of Tallahassee, Florida. The next generation would be all girls, as Claire was blessed with three beautiful granddaughters – Delaney of Tallahassee, and Hannah and Rachel of Haymarket, Virginia. Claire is survived by her brother, Tom (Marcia) of Centerville, Massachusetts, as well as many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents and her sister, Dorothy.

In 1978 Claire wed the love of her life, Richard O. Wolkind, to whom she was happily married until his death in 2013. They lived in Safety Harbor, Palm Harbor, and other communities in the Clearwater area and enjoyed traveling around the US and the world.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, August 2 at Sylvan Abbey Memorial Park in Clearwater, Florida, with burial to follow.

Claire’s family thanks Beth Mueller, Pam Garcia, Karla Hermann, Beverly Friend, Hannah Swisher, and numerous others who were loving and supportive of Claire in her final years in Tallahassee. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org), Big Bend Hospice (bigbendhospice.org), or another charity of your choice.