Claire Y. Nitkowski

Claire Nitkowski, 88, beloved wife of the late Chester Nitkowski, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her loving family, on Saturday, December 27, 2025.

Born in St. Méthode, Canada, Claire was one of eleven children. She spent her childhood on a farm before moving with her family to Connecticut while in the eighth grade.

Claire was the proud mother of four daughters: Joanne Labbie, Betty Sue Hubeny, Tania (Jim) Pelton, and Ann Marie Mackiewicz. She adored her grandchildren: Jenna (Kyle) Mackey, Jessica (Josh) Labbie, Caitlin Labbie (Bryan) Murphy, Melissa (John) Delaney, James (Samantha) Pelton, Joseph (Emily) Pelton, Roger Christopher (Larissa) Hubeny, Lainee Hubeny, Annelise Mackiewicz (John), and John Mackiewicz (Michelle). She was also blessed with fourteen great-grandchildren whom she cherished dearly: Aurora, Jack, Lucy, Tommy, Weston, Amelia, Finn, Kenny, Maddy, James, Charlie, Henry, Zachary, and Nathaniel.

A fun, silly, and endlessly loving soul, Claire delighted in cooking, teaching, and fixing anything that needed repair. She loved being hands-on with everything—no empty flowerpot ever safe around her. Her home and yard overflowed with flowers, as she was always trying to revive any plant that needed a little extra love. She even bought a special rocker just for cuddling her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, all of whom delighted in a ride on “Gramma’s rocker.”

Family was the heart of Claire’s life. Summers were filled with camping trips and beach days shared with her husband, children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Friends of her children and grandchildren, along with extended family, often came to her for advice and comfort. A wonderful cook, Claire will forever be remembered for her famous meatballs, spaghetti sauce, and countless other dishes made with love.

Claire was deeply devoted to the Blessed Mother and was overjoyed to have the opportunity to travel to Medjugorje, a pilgrimage that deepened her faith. She shared that faith generously with her family and community. Together with her husband, she opened her home to family members in times of need. She participated in youth ministry at church, where the teens especially looked forward to the brownies she lovingly made for them.

Claire is survived by her daughters, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, her sister Murielle Dubois, and her brothers Marcel Charpentier, Paul Charpentier, and Lucien Charpentier. She was predeceased by her husband Chester; her sisters Fernande and Florence; her brothers John and Real Charpentier; her infant sister Claire; her brother Real, who died at the age of seven; her devoted and loving parents, Florent and Phoebe Charpentier; and her beloved son-in-law, John Mackiewicz.

A celebration of Claire’s life will be held on Friday, January 2, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Dominic Church, Flanders Road, Southington. Calling hours will be from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at Plantsville Funeral Home, 975 South Main Street, Plantsville, CT. A private burial will follow in St. Thomas Cemetery, Southington.  In lieu of flowers (as the church is beautifully decorated for Christmas and unable to accommodate them), the family kindly requests that donations be made to St. Luke Parish in Southington in her memory (https://stlukect.org/give-online-giving/). 

Claire’s light, laughter, and love will continue to shine in the hearts of all who knew her.