PORTLAND – Claire E. Walker, 79, of Sweden, passed away on Sept. 19, at Maine Medical Center.

She was born in Swanton, Vt., on July 26, 1927, a daughter of Ruby and Charles Gould. She graduated from Swanton High School.

She was employed for many years for the city of Portland. In 1966, she relocated to Connecticut and was employed by Pratt & Whitney.

She enjoyed sewing, cooking, making various crafts and traveling. She was very active in her community and held her family, her home and her friends closely in her heart and gave unsparingly of her love, kindness and beauty to all and was honored years ago with the Jefferson’s Award.

She was a very active member of the Lovell United Church of Christ. She also served on many committees in her community. She drove elderly for appointments through Western Transportation and cooked for the Dinner Bell. She also was a very active member of the Ladies Auxilary VFW, where she served as many officers, as well as donating a lot of her time on various committees for VFW functions. Her greatest joy was giving and doing for others. She will be greatly missed by many.

She is survived by her loving husband, Paul Walker of Sweden; two daughters, Susan McLaughlin of California and Donna Gailey (Dwight) of Westbrook; one step-daughter, Diana Davis of Stowe; four sons, Ronald Coles (Norma) of Florida, John Coles (Tina) of Connecticut, Bruce Coles of Connecticut and Marty Coles (June) of Connecticut; 21 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.