SOUTHAMPTON: Claire Ann Sullivan Paquette of Southampton passed away on May 4, 2026. Born in Holyoke to Emily and Jim Sullivan, Claire grew up on Longwood Avenue in Elmwood, a closely-knit neighborhood, with her cousins and friends whose love for her lasted a lifetime. She graduated from Holyoke High School in 1972 and from Holyoke Trade School’s Nursing School and became a Licensed Practical Nurse. She began her career at Holyoke Hospital and retired from Northampton Area Pediatrics. Claire loved spending time with her friends and family. She traveled to Italy and Ireland with friends and to New Orleans with family. She also enjoyed trips to Misquamicut Beach and Cape Cod. She hosted many Trivial Pursuit parties and neighborhood and family gatherings. On June 24, 1978, Claire married Russ Paquette of Holyoke. Immediately she became the Mother of three toddlers, Russ Jr., Andy and Brian. She excelled at this role for the rest of her life. Together Russ and she created a home on Hillside Avenue which was filled with love, caring, compassion and loads of laughter. Frequently their sons’ friends would want to hang out at their house with Russ and Claire—especially when they hosted their neighborhood and friend picnics. While all the boys’ friends called her “Claire,” they called Russ “Mr. Paquette.” This demonstrated their affection for her and hers for them. On August 16, 1981, Claire and Russ welcomed their beautiful daughter, Emily Sullivan Paquette. Emily quickly became “everything” to their family, but especially to Claire. Her relationship with Emily was “one for the ages.” Growing up in a house with three boys, one would have thought that Emily did not have a chance. But it was the other way around. No one else stood a chance. Claire modeled for Emily what it meant to be a strong-willed, fiercely independent, caring and compassionate woman—with a ton of Holyoke in her! Just when one could not think there was enough of Claire’s love to spread around, she became “Nana Claire” to Ryan Paquette, the son of Russ Jr. and his Wife Karen, and to Maeve and Mairead, the daughters of Andy and Mimi. Nana Claire’s love for her grandchildren knew no bounds. She doted on and spoiled them beyond what anyone could imagine. In addition to her parents, Claire was predeceased by her daughter, Emily and her son, Russ, Jr. She leaves behind Russ, her husband and soul mate, of Southampton; her “big brothers” Jim and his wife Mari of Norwalk, CT and Bob, also of Norwalk, CT; her son Andy, his wife Mimi and their daughters, Maeve and Mairead, of Auburn MA; and her son Brian and his husband Brian of New York, NY. She also leaves behind many cousins and friends. A Funeral service will be held on Monday, May 11, 2026, at 1:00pm in the Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home, 2049 Northampton Street. Calling hours will be held prior to the service from 11:30am to 1:00pm. In lieu of flowers please donate to the American Cancer Society, https://cancer.org