Claire Dickinson

Claire “Clairebear” Dickinson, of Bristol, unexpectedly passed away in a tragic accident, leaving behind a family and community struggling to understand how someone so full of life could be gone so suddenly at the young age of 51. She was born in Warrington, Cheshire, England, on November 15, 1974, a daughter of Jean (Hassall) Pilletere and Roy Dickinson.

Claire never met a stranger. She had a heart that simply did not know how to turn someone away. If someone needed help, she was there. If someone was hurting, she cared. She was the kind of person who would give you the shirt off her back without giving a second thought to what she might need for herself.

Her love for animals was one of the greatest expressions of that heart. Claire rescued many dogs throughout her life, giving them safety, love, and a second chance. She had an incredible ability to see the good and the worth in the fur-babies who needed someone to believe in them.

Claire also had a special place in her heart for adults with special needs. She had a natural ability to connect with them, care for them, and make them feel seen and valued. Two people in particular, Rhannon and Carol, held a very special place in Claire’s heart. The bond she shared with them was a beautiful reflection of who she was—someone who loved without judgment, without conditions, and without expecting anything in return.

Claire found beauty in the simple things. She could spend hours tending to flower beds, making them beautiful and bringing color and life to the world around her. She loved watching the sunrise and sunset, and she rarely kept those moments to herself. Whether it was a breathtaking sky, something happening in the world, or simply something that made her smile, Claire would share it with her family and friends. In her own way, she made sure we were all there with her.

And then there was football. Claire was a Green Bay Packers fan in the truest sense of the word. Her wardrobe made that abundantly clear. Green and gold were not just colors to Claire—they were practically a lifestyle. When Sunday football arrived, there was absolutely nothing coming between Claire and her Packers. She was loyal, passionate, and completely committed to her team. Sundays belonged to the Packers, and everyone knew it.

If there was something happening in the world, Claire probably knew about it first. She was our unofficial news correspondent, always ready to announce which celebrity had passed away, what was happening in current affairs, or whatever latest piece of information she had discovered.

Then there was her undeniable obsession with Law & Order: SVU. Claire could lose herself in episode after episode while exchanging notes with her mom about what might happen next.

Claire had a way of making the ordinary memorable. Her flowers, her dogs, her weather reports, her fascination with current events, and her countless little routines were all pieces of a life that was uniquely hers.

Perhaps what Claire never truly understood was just how deeply she was loved. She spent so much of her life giving love away—to her family, to friends, to animals, and to those who needed a little extra care—that she may never have realized how many people’s lives were better simply because she was in it. From England to Camp Wightman, and all the special people and places in between, her absence will be felt in countless little moments. She gave more love than she ever knew she had to give. And she was loved more than she ever knew. She will forever be missed, forever remembered, and she will forever be loved.

Claire will be missed by her mum, Jean Pilletere and her step-dad Mark; her sister Katy Black and her nieces, the two little lights of her life, Ella and Zoey, all of Berlin and many aunts, uncles and cousins. She will also be forever remembered by her family in England, her dad, Roy Dickinson of Uttoxeter; a sister, Lisa Dickinson and Tim Darnell of Cannock; her nephew, Kieran Edwards of Peterborough; her niece, Courtney Edwards and Ollie Watson and their son Albie of Derby; a sister, Sarah and Ross Salmon and their children, Abigail and William of Draycott in the Clay, and a sister, Annie and Alan Bennett and their children, Jack and Emily of Uttoxeter and last, but not least, her cat Jericho, her new puppy Naima and two very dear friends who watched over Claire for almost 30 years, Ramona Rancourt and Terry Labbe. She was predeceased by her wife, Dorel Simpson, and her adored fur-babies, Kira, Ajani, and Rosie.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Friday, September 11th, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the New Britain Memorial, Donald D. Sagarino Funeral Home, 444 Farmington Ave., New Britain. A Memorial Service will be held at the conclusion of the calling hours at 2 p.m. in the funeral home.

The service will be web-streamed through Tribucast, please click on link: https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/c26094750425155.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Claire’s memory may be made to Bristol Animal Control, 126 Vincent P. Kelly Rd., Bristol CT 06010.