Claire D. Peterson

Claire Peterson, Hale’s Location Claire Peterson passed away peacefully in Hale’s Location on February 10, 2025, surrounded by family and devoted caregivers. Claire was born Marie Thérèse Bernadette Claire Dorion in Quebec City, Canada on April 1, 1930, to Lucien and Germaine Paré Dorion. She was the first of seven children. Her Dorion ancestors were among the early settlers of the province of Quebec. Claire was educated at L'École des Ursulines de Québec (founded 1639) and was the Valedictorian of her high school class. After high school, she worked as a bookkeeper for her father’s wholesale fruit business and took classes in business and Spanish at Laval University. In the summer of 1953, she met and fell in love with a young attorney from the Bronx, New York, named Raymond Peterson. Ray and Claire married on September 13, 1954, in Quebec City and made their home in New York City. There, they had two children, Richard and Nancy. They later moved to Somerset, NJ, where their third child, Arlene, was born. In November 1963, the young family moved to Newport, VT where Ray practiced property and probate law. Claire worked side-by-side with Ray as his assistant and office manager until he retired in 2007. They moved to Hale’s Location in 2009. Claire had many hobbies and interests. She was an avid cross-country skier, which she pursued from childhood well into her 80s. She enjoyed tennis and exercise classes, including yoga and aerobics. She was very artistic with an interest in sewing and decorating. Into her 90s, she colored very intricate drawings to perfection. She was a talented seamstress, making beautiful clothes for her family and herself. She also took on home decorating projects, including painting and wall papering. Claire was predeceased by her parents, Lucien and Germaine; her husband Ray, who passed away in 2012; and her siblings, Mariette Dorion, Carmen D. Faucher, Collette D. Gallenstein, Denise D. Giorgio, and Liliane D. DeRosa. Left to cherish her memory are her brother, Jean Dorion (Kathleen) of Quebec City; her children, Richard Peterson (Rita Duffy) of New York, NY; Nancy Clifford (Ron) of Ottawa, Canada; and Arlene Cooper (Tom) of Burke, VA; her six grandchildren, who knew her affectionately as “Grandmaman”; and her two infant great-grandchildren. Claire was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandparent, and great-grandparent. She was also a true gentlewoman, who was kind and welcoming to all who knew her, and a faithful member of the Catholic Church. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends. The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to caregivers Cheryl, Gretchen, Maryellen, Debbie, and Shauna for their devoted care and support during Claire’s last few years. Their kindness and dedication are deeply appreciated. They also wish to acknowledge the MWV Adult Day Center and the Gibson Center for the care and opportunities for social connections that they provided. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Lady of the Mountains Catholic Church in North Conway on February 18 at 11:00am, officiated by the Reverend Joshua Livingston. Interment will follow at a later date in the parish cemetery. Furber & White Funeral Home of North Conway is in charge of arrangements.