A woman who inspired everyone she met with her grace, her joy, her flair, her doll-like style, her huge curiosity, and her unlimited capacity for courage and commitment, Claire Johnson died April 26, 2015, just a week shy of her 95th birthday.

A 35-year resident of Barters Island, Claire was born in Wellesley, Massachusetts, attended Wellesley High School and married Chester A. Johnson in 1943. Together the Johnsons raised six children in Medway, Massachusetts and Binghamton, New York before moving to Maine.

Until she lost most of her sight and hearing in the last couple years, Claire was an informed and well read student of world politics which she could discuss with such respect and understanding for both sides of any issue. She was able to balance any subject, as well as the challenges aging brought to her, in the most loving fashion and with just the right bit of humor. An avid reader preferring non-fiction but always open to whatever the library brought or a friend recommended, there wasn't a subject she avoided investigating, always adding great insights to every conversation — from the architecture of bridge building to the zenith of mountain explorations to the nuances of poets.

Claire and Chet Johnson were a dynamic social justice and peace duo. All the writings from and about Dorothy Day were favorite reading material and she subscribed to The Catholic Social Worker, Commonweal and America Magazine, reading them cover to cover. In her social justice and peace role, Claire was an active member of the Boothbay Democratic Party and Friends of the Coast. Claire and Chet were instrumental on the committee that started the Boothbay Region Food Pantry.

Claire also reveled in beauty, was a fine arts enthusiast and a great steward of Maine nature. She loved to garden and swim and spend time with her family, those related and those who adopted her. She was a member of the Boothbay Region Garden Club and Boothbay Region Land Trust and treasured every moment by the shore. The vista from her sitting room window was full of water, ships, boats, birds, trees, islands, squirrels, cats and skies; her front yard full of flowers and plantings, both domesticated and wild — all being given the same esteem — like the domesticated and wild people who came to visit. She was often found in an easy chair in the sun on her front or side porch, watching the cars go by and waving to anyone who honked. She loved theater and concerts and museums and never hesitated when invited out. She was a woman of "Yes!" She loved people and people loved her back. Always pertly and colorfully attired with just the right earrings or pin or scarf, the staff at Safe Havens picked up on her touches of drama while she was in residence and always made sure she was making her picture perfect statement.

Claire was an original member of the Our Lady Queen of Peace Readers Group and in the OLQP library; her notes can be found among the pages of the books read. She was a member of the VIPs, a support group of adults who are visually impaired and participated in the Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library's outreach to seniors and those with sight impairment. When her eyes went, she focused on music and became a learned jazz enthusiast, first falling in love with Thelonius Monk and then Dave Brubeck. Listening to music and talking about those who make music made her smile.

Claire was predeceased by her son Ivan in 1966, her husband Chet in 2004 and her daughter Pamela in 2013.

She is survived by her son, Paul Johnson, and his wife Wendy of Boothbay, Peter Johnson and his wife Ronea of Apalachin, New York, Emily Johnson Blabac and her husband Dennis of Binghamton, New York, and Maria Johnson Wilson and her husband Roger, also of Binghamton. Claire's greatest joy was always shared over pictures and stories of her 10 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

For her 90th birthday many of her friends went together to bring her 90 tulips and 90 statements of how Claire and tulips were the same. Among the sentiments were: Claire and tulips are both hardy and adaptive to diverse conditions and produce flowers for decades; both get along great with other plants; both are classy, endurable, inspirational, very giving; both bloom where they're planted.

Claire Johnson was always in blossom. In a 2006 thank-you note to a friend who had gifted Claire with a prayer book Claire wrote: "I have been using the Pax Christi guide prepared by Joan Chittister, 05B. To tell you the truth — it is getting dingy. Prayers to God deserve better." Claire Auw Johnson was a person of loving prayer in action, wanting to make the world a better place with every breath she took. If God deserves better prayers, heaven now has one of the best.

A funeral mass will be celebrated on Saturday, May 2 at 11 a.m. at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church. A reception will follow in the church hall. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Claire's name to the Boothbay Region Food Pantry.