Claire Leader Goss, Class of 1945, passed away Nov. 2 at her home in Middlebury, Conn. She was born in New Haven on Oct. 17, 1927, and attended the University of Connecticut following her graduation from Hamden Hall. In 1948 she married George Goss, who was vice president of Scovill Manufacturing in Waterbury. After 34 years of marriage, George passed away in 1982. The couple had four children together and four grandchildren.

While at Hamden Hall, Claire served as class president and had a special fondness for English literature and Shakespeare – as introduced to her by her beloved English teacher, Miss Marjorie Stewart. In 2006, Claire had an opportunity to pay tribute to her mentor when she served on a planning committee that coordinated a luncheon that celebrated the establishment of the Miss Marjorie Stewart Scholarship Fund. Over the ensuing years, Claire was an avid supporter of that scholarship fund.

“Miss Stewart was a great teacher who always inspired us,” said Claire in 2006. “She was so fascinating. We looked forward to going to class because Miss Stewart would bring the books we were reading to life.”

Claire was an active Hamden Hall alumna, attending her reunions and other school-related events. She was predeceased by her sister, Edene Leader, who graduated from Hamden Hall in 1952.

Click here to view a complete obituary on Claire.