Clare Gabrielson George, 103, of Newington, Connecticut, beloved wife of the late Andrew C. George Sr., passed away peacefully on Monday, December 12, 2022.
Clare was born Clara Gabrielson to the late Ole Hoiland Gabrielson and the late Alvilde Teresa Gabrielson in Luverne, Minnesota, on July 21, 1919. She grew up on a family farm and still owns farmland in Minnesota.
Clare and Andy met at a USO dance in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, during World War II. Soon after, Andy was deployed to Europe where he remained for three years without a furlough. They wrote a letter to each other every single day of his deployment, a testament to their love and dedication. Clare saved every single letter.
Clare and Andy married after the war and moved to Hartford, Connecticut. She never lost her love for Minnesota. Her car may have had a Connecticut license plate, but it also sported a bumper sticker that read, “It’s hard to be humble when you’re from Minnesota.” Clare never forgot where she was from and returned to see her family and farmland often.
Clare worked as a legal secretary at Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance for many years. She was a devoted member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Newington since 1954 where she was a much loved Sunday School teacher, longtime member of Quiltmakers, reader, and helped wherever and whenever needed. Clare was a “super donator” of blood over the years to the American Red Cross —whatever she did, she did it all the way.
Above all, Clare was devoted to her family and her faith. She delighted in everything that had to do with her children, grandchildren, siblings, nieces, nephews, godchildren, neighbors and friends. At a sporting event, nobody cheered louder than Clare George. She never passed a basketball hoop without asking for the ball to shoot her shot. And she taught everyone how to make the best Christmas sugar cookies. But to this day nobody can replicate her dinner rolls … probably because they take the kind of patience and determination only Clare George possessed. She was relentlessly kind, loving, and optimistic, even – and especially – when the world gave her every reason not to be. She will forever serve as an example to all who knew her that in a world where you can be anything, strive to be just a little more like Clare George.
Clare is survived by her son, Andrew C. George Jr. and his wife, Angela, of Groton, Massachusetts; her daughter, Teresa A. Matteo and her husband, Carl, of Verona, New Jersey. She leaves six grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, Joe Matteo and Sarah Bender-Nash (Zoe, Ian, and Nora), Eric and Rebecca George (Lillie and Ted), Andrew and Heather Matteo (Grace and Ella), Marissa and Justin Hillian (Ruby and Cassius), Nicholas and Allie Matteo, and Ally and Travis Jacalone (Isla and Charlie).
She was predeceased by three children, Andrea, Jimmy, and Billy.
The family would like to express their sincere thanks to the staff at Cedar Mountain Commons and Jefferson House for their excellent care, kindness and compassion.
Clare’s funeral service will be held Thursday, December 22, 2022, at 11:30 a.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Newington, with the Rev. Joe McGarry officiating. Burial will follow at West Meadows Cemetery. Relatives and friends are invited to call Thursday morning from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Newington Memorial Funeral Home, 20 Bonair Avenue, Newington.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 1655 Main St., Newington, CT 06111 or to the American Red Cross.
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