Claire Noyes Field died peacefully at Baltimore Washington Medical Center in Maryland on Jan. 27, 2016, following a serious illness.

She was born Claire Elaine Noyes on October 11, 1928 in Boston, Massachusetts, the only daughter of Theodore Noyes and Gwendolyn Noyes. She graduated from Brookline High School and Syracuse University, where she acquired a bachelor of fine arts degree with a double major in painting and illustration.

In 1952, Claire married Edward L. Field, Jr. of Richmond, Virginia, and in 1954 their only daughter, Donna, was born. They enjoyed 51 years of marriage prior to Ed’s passing in 2003. They began married life in New York City, but soon moved to Garden City, Long Island and then on to Cincinnati, Ohio where they resided for 24 years. Following Ed’s retirement from Federated Department Stores, they moved to Sarasota, Florida.

Claire was also a lifelong summer resident at her family home on Southport Island. It was a spot that held a special place in her heart and her love of the coastline was reflected in many of her paintings.

At the age of 14, Claire entered and won first place in a Massachusetts state-wide poster competition. From this early success she developed a love of art that continued throughout her lifetime. She began her instruction in drawing and painting at the Cross Art School in Boothbay Harbor, where she attended summer classes. During her college years, Claire studied extensively with the noted British marine painter, Alphonse Shelton. Later, additional private instruction occurred in Cincinnati, Ohio under the direction of the late Philip Olmes and Arthur Helmig. Claire painted in oils, acrylics and watercolors and held numerous exhibits of her work in Cincinnati, Garden City, Long Island, Manhattan, Sarasota, Ogunquit and Boothbay Harbor. She specialized in oil paintings of the sea which she felt posed the greatest challenge due to the ever changing effects of light upon sky and water.

Claire was also an enthusiast of all the performing arts. She loved travel, playing the piano, gardening and cooking. She was an avid bridge player and an active member of the Boothbay Harbor Yacht Club, the Sarasota Yacht Club and the Republican Women’s Club of Sarasota. Claire loved to entertain and was never happier than when planning a dinner party or special event, in which no detail was ever overlooked. Claire treasured her family and friends and brought a fun loving spirit and enthusiasm to her many interests.

She is survived by her daughter, Donna Field Bagley, and her husband Charles Bagley IV of Crownsville, Maryland; grandson, Benjamin H. Bagley of Arnold, Maryland; granddaughters, Sarah Bagley Harries of Annapolis, Maryland and Virginia Stewart Bagley of Arlington, Virginia; and two great-grandchildren, Isabelle Field Harries and Everett Edward Bagley.

A private interment will be held at Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, Virginia. A Celebration of Life will be held on an as of yet undetermined date in the spring in Southport Island.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105-3678 or to the Boothbay Region Humane Society, 27 Atlantic Highway, Edgecomb, ME 04556.