Nicola Sinclair

Nicola Sinclair, aged 63, passed away peacefully on January 3rd, 2026, in Hartford, CT. Born in Paris to English parents, Nicola moved to the United States in the late 1960s with her parents, Valerie and Robert, and her siblings Stephen and Fiona, settling in Mendham, New Jersey. Nic had a creative childhood and was encouraged to explore every medium of expression. She spent countless hours in museums, at the theater and concerts, and on family trips. She was an avid lover of opera. In fact, Nicola had such a broad and eclectic range of musical tastes that were a constant in her life - companions as she painted, connections with friends, and music that underscored the rhythm of her days. As a child, Nicola expressed her creativity through sculpture and painting. She attended Pratt Institute and later joined her sister to live in Boston, where she studied at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design. Nicola continued to be an accomplished expressionist painter throughout her life. She had exhibitions of her work in New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. Nic’s unique kindness and creativity shined through everything she did, touching many lives with her gentle, sweet nature. Nicola’s love for travel was profound. In her younger years, she embarked on an adventurous journey through Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua, traveling overland by bus during the civil wars of the 1980s. Accompanied by her first love, Oonagh Doherty, Nicola carried canvases on her back, capturing the vibrant experiences and landscapes she encountered along the way. In addition to her Central American adventures, Nicola traveled extensively throughout Europe, sometimes solo and at other times with family, always cherishing her English heritage and spending her free time studying it. She later made her home in Connecticut with her long-term partner, Rebecca Pye. Together they shared their lives with many wonderful animals and countless trips to Provincetown, Massachusetts—a place Nic held especially dear. Nic is remembered not only for her artistic gifts but for her loving spirit and the inspiration she offered so generously to those around her. She is survived by her sister, Fiona, and sister-in-law, Randi Triant; her brother, Stephen, and sister-in-law, Susan Sinclair; her nephews, Riley and James; and her cousins, Cath Speed, Sarah Speed, and Ana Speed, along with extended family in Newcastle, England. She also leaves behind many dear friends, including Beth Villa, Deborah Johnston, and fellow artist JoJo Dupré. Nicola’s family and friends are planning a memorial service over the summer in Provincetown, MA, and will announce the details in the coming months. In lieu of flowers, Nic would kindly ask you to put the kettle on and sit down to a nice cup of tea. Her beloved rescue cat, Freddie, would encourage you to make a donation to an animal shelter, any shelter, in Nicola’s name.

Nicola Sinclair

January 3, 2026