Obituary of Claire H. Carter

Claire H. Carter (63) of New Canaan passed away peacefully in New Canaan on November 8th after a 22 year journey with cancer. Her loving children were by her side. She embraced this illnesses with the strength, grace, humor, and integrity with which she lived her life.

Ms. Carter was born March 10, 1959 in Hartford, CT to Jeanette and Frederick N. Hill Sr. At the age of three, the family moved to New Canaan, CT, a town she loved.

She graduated from New Canaan High School, then attended Ohio Wesleyan University where she was a proud member of the Delta Gamma Sorority. Ms. Carter graduated with a bachelor of Science in Nursing. She later earned her Masters in Healthcare Management from Fairfield University. She was inducted into Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, which only invites individuals who demonstrate excellence in scholarship and exceptional nursing achievements. In 2007, she was honored with Connecticut’s Nightingale Award.

She devoted her career to Greenwich Hospital, predominantly working in departments dedicated to women’s health. She held positions from patient care, to staff education, to management. Ms. Carter successfully initiated many quality improvements, held several certifications and professional memberships, and authored articles for magazines. Ms. Carter was also an adjunct professor at Fairfield University.

Ms. Carter met her husband in 1985. The couple lived in Old Greenwich, CT before settling in New Canaan, CT in 1993. She and her husband of 28 years raised their two children there before their marriage ended in divorce.

Ms. Carter volunteered with her children’s activities and schools, several New Canaan community organizations, as well as local charities. She adored gardening, tennis, ballet, fine arts, her cats, and Nantucket & Southhampton beaches. She will be remembered as the calm in the eye of a storm who favored compromise over confrontation, was gentle in spirit, and had a subtle sense of humor. She was hopeful, gracious, and peaceful in nature.

Her greatest blessings were her children. Her deep love for and dedication to her children, who were each her pride and joy, were the North Stars that guided her through all the remaining years of her life.

Ms. Carter is predeceased by her father Frederick N. Hill Sr., sister Deborah Hill (Dave Reinholt), brother Frederick N. Hill Jr., and nephew Charles Tyler Hill. 

She is survived by her mother, Jeanette L. Hill, her children Diane Nottingham Rinfret (JP) and Thomas Hill Carter, sister in law Patricia Hill, and dear cousin, nieces, and nephews.

A private burial and family service will be held at Lakeview Cemetery in New Canaan, CT.

Her family would like to thank the staff at the Yale Smilow Cancer Hospital for their exceptional care. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes memorial contributions to The Yale Smilow Hospital.