Claire Zukowski

Waterford - Claire (Bennett) Zukowski, 107, died peacefully on Sunday, Aug. 7, 2013, at Bayview Health Care in Waterford where she lived for several years.

Claire was born on April 29, 1906. Her parents were the late Clarence and Bessie Bennett.

She lived in Norwich, until 1973 when she moved to Waterford with her husband to be near her children. She lived in her home in Waterford until she was 101 years old. She would often say, "You can't keep a good man down!".

As a young woman, Claire enjoyed photography and took many photos of family and friends and enjoyed sharing them. She loved her cats, gardening and feeding the birds and going on trips with her oldest daughter, Jean. She was talented in my crafts, especially needlework, quilting and rug making and her crafts are still enjoyed by her family.

She was predeceased by her daughter, Barbara Orme; her brother, Roland Bennett; and her husband, Joseph.

Claire is survived by her daughter, Jean Peabody; and her son, John Zukowski and his wife, Diane. She is also survived by her four grandchildren, Sharon Zukowski, Lynn Kiah, Allen Orme and Brian Orme; and her five great-grandchildren, Samantha, Claire, Brett, Mitchell and Anton. Todd Perrelli, her good young friend helped her in many ways.

The family would like to extend sincere gratitude to the staff at Bayview Health Care Center and Masonicare Hospice personnel for the kind and caring treatment of "Claire Bear", which made her final years joyous ones. Claire once said, "If I can't be at home, this is a good place to be."

The funeral and memorial service will be private.

Fulton-Theroux Funeral Home, Niantic, is handling the arrangements.