Claire L. Uzinsky

Claire spent her working life bringing comfort and good health to children, and their families. She worked at Children’s Hospital in Boston for many years as a pediatric RN, and prior to Children’ Hospital as an LPN at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Primarily she worked on surgical units and was especially proud of her involvement in plastic surgery facial restorations, and any successful procedure involving special needs children. Claire would remind us of the importance of bringing every child to their healthiest level because every child wants to play. She understood from experience what it is like to be a child in the hospital.

The child Claire loved and was most proud of was her niece, Nickie. Claire spent time with her, attended the theatre productions Nickie acted in and wrote her many letters while Nickie was in college. Claire was front and center at Nickie’s graduation from the University of Vermont.

Education was very important to Claire and she cherished her two degrees, the first from Tufts University majoring in political science, and the second from Boston College School of Nursing. She furthered her nursing education attaining American Nurses Credentialing Center certifications throughout her nursing career. Claire remained interested in politics and current events throughout her life. In addition, she was a Francophile using her French language skills to better communicate with international families and French speaking staff at Children’s Hospital. She was unable to travel to France during her lifetime, but our wish for her is that she may do so now.

Claire loved beauty and surrounded herself with collections of beautiful things. This includes special people with exquisite hearts such as her parents, grandfathers, brother in-law John, and life-long friends Nancy and her sister Kathy. Claire was very proud of her youthful appearance and always looked her best, patterning herself after her favorite and beautiful Auntie Ettie. Long red hair, perfume and colorful lipstick expertly applied were Claire hallmarks.

Loving the ocean is a family pastime, and we spent many summer vacations together in Maine going to the beach, taking coastal walks, going on boat rides, exploring gift shops and celebrating July 4th. We were all thrilled when Claire attained her dream of living in Rockport and seeing the ocean every day. The shops on Bearskin Neck were also pretty excited that she had moved to Rockport. Claire was a champion gift giver. Despite health challenges, Claire was able to stay in her Rockport home due to the devoted and constant care given by John. He insured that her medicine was taken, bills were paid on time and that her refrigerator was always full.

Claire lived a courageous life overcoming and coping with many challenges. For those of us that she left behind, we are able to imagine her reading a novel, eating lobster, buying dolls and figurines, patting our dogs, visiting art museums, appreciating the ballet and admiring swans, all while rocking out to her all-time favorite Rolling Stones songs.

In lieu of flowers expression of sympathy may be made in Claire’s honor to: shrinerschildrens.org or www.mspca.org