Claire Fray

Claire Fray, 91, passed away peacefully at St. Vincent's Hospital on Sunday, September 28, surrounded by her family. Born April 10, 1934 in Brooklyn, New York, Claire was raised in Washington, DC where she graduated from Georgetown Visitation and earned a full scholarship to Dunbarton College. Her first job was teaching elementary school on the Marine Corps Base in Quantico, Virginia. A handsome young lawyer working for the Pentagon had heard that she’d taken part in a production of “Guys and Dolls” while on base and appealed for her help in blocking the choreography for a production that he’d just been cast in. The collaboration between the two continued and by the time she’d accepted an elementary school position in Scarsdale, New York, the two cemented a partnership that lasted through nearly sixty years of marriage. After their wedding, Claire taught at Burr Farms Elementary School in Westport, CT, The couple then went on to raise three sons in nearby Fairfield.

Throughout her life, dust never had long to settle beneath Claire’s feet. One of her first volunteer positions was in the Fairfield League of Women Voters on which she served as President. While juggling volunteer work and raising her family, she managed to find time to be awarded a Masters in Education from Fairfield University. Her devotion to public education inspired her to run for the Fairfield Board of Education, a fifteen year commitment during which she presided as Chairwoman during the consolidation of two high schools into one. As her children progressed through the Fairfield schools, she became a local real estate agent, working for several local agencies over the course of a nearly forty year career. Other causes close to her heart included public access to mental health services and local public libraries, inspiring her to serve as the President of both the Southwest Regional Mental Health Board and the Board of the Fairfield Public Library. Known to family and close friends as “Rocky” for her determined, fighting spirit, Claire had a soft spot for her beloved poodles and leaves behind an extensive collection of figurines and other poodle paraphernalia.

One of the overriding passions of Claire’s life was art and she ardently pursued her love of watercolor ever since winning second place in the Fairfield Sidewalk Art Show in the 1970’s. Studying with a number of local artists up until glaucoma prevented the completion of her final painting at age 89, Claire had her first one-woman show at the age of 72. The show included a number of paintings from her group trips to Provence in southern France as well as Italy and at locations throughout the United States. Her second and final one-woman show will showcase a retrospective of her painting career at her upcoming memorial service.

In addition to her husband, John Philip Fray, Mary Claire Fredricks Fray was predeceased by her parents, Barron Fredricks and Cathleen (Beattie) Fredricks. She was also predeceased by her brothers, Barron and William, as well as her sister, Judy Santos. She is survived by her sons Scott of Pawtucket, RI, Chris (Chip) of Fairfield, CT and Brendon (Amy) of Monroe, CT. She also leaves her beloved grandchildren Connor (Sydney), Devon and Erynn as well as two great-grandsons, Theo and James. She is also survived by her step-grandchildren Libby (Sam) and Will as  well as many loving nieces, nephews and cousins.

A memorial service one-woman art show will be held at the Burr Mansion at 739 Old Post Road, Fairfield, CT from 12-3pm on Monday, October 6th. There will also be visiting hours from 3-6 pm on Sunday, October 5th at the Spear-Miller Funeral Home, 39 South Benson Road, Fairfield. Claire’s family would like to thank all of the caregivers who gave her such loving attention at the end of her final illness, especially Angella and Edgar as well as her dear friend Joyce Flynn.

Memorial contributions can be made to the League of Women Voters of Fairfield and the Fairfield Public Library.