Claire Pryor

Claire M. Pryor, 94, of West Hartford passed away peacefully at home October 6, 2024. She was surrounded by love, music, art, and is now reunited with her beloved Millard, who predeceased her in 2005. Claire was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY to John and Helen Martin and was the youngest of four children. She attended St. Brendan’s high school and St. John’s University. After graduation, she took a job with a real estate company in Manhattan. She knew she wanted to see the world, so at the age of 23 she traveled with the Red Cross to South Korea to assist with post war projects. From South Korea she traveled and lived throughout Europe working with the U.S. Military and NGO organizations until she returned to New York City. In late 1961 she was invited to a party where she met Millard, it was love at first sight and they married in April of 1962. Five years later their twin daughters Esther and Liz appeared on the scene and the real adventures began. The family moved to Connecticut in 1972 where both Claire and Millard immersed themselves in the community, eventually becoming active members in the cultural arts. Always eager to enrich her life, Claire entered nursing school and received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Hartford in 1984. After working as a post cardiac care nurse Claire decided to turn her focus to tutoring pre-nursing students at Capitol Community College. Claire served on numerous boards and committees throughout Hartford during her life. She was a board Emerita of the Amistad Center for Art and Culture, the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, the Greater Hartford Art’s Council, the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, Hartford’s Camp Courant, and was a Corporator of Hartford Hospital and an Advisor to the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Claire and Millard spent their summers in the Berkshires attending Tanglewood concerts and entertaining family and friends. Claire was a talented cook and a generous hostess. Her home was filled with laughter, music, delicious food, and a glass of Cloudy Bay was always on deck. Claire was predeceased by her parents John and Helen Martin, her sister Jeanne, and brothers Doug and John. She is survived by her daughters Esther, Liz and her husband Gerrit, her two grandchildren Jake, and Willa. A funeral mass will be held November 7, 2024, at 10:00 am at St. Peter Claver Church, 47 Pleasant Street, West Hartford, CT. In lieu of flowers charitable donations may be made to the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, the Amistad Center for Art and Culture, the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, or a charity of the donor’s choice.

Claire Pryor

August 13, 1930 - October 6, 2024