Claire E. Cook

New London — Claire Elizabeth (St. Germain) Cook, 86, passed away Feb. 19, 2021, at Harbor Village in New London. Claire was born Oct. 24, 1934, the daughter of the late Clarence and Delia (Foley) St. Germain.

Claire graduated from The Williams School. Claire and her late husband, Walter G. Cook, married at Biggs Air Force Base in El Paso, Texas May 19, 1954, before returning to East Lyme in 1957. They raised seven children together and spent their lives in Niantic. Sadly, Claire became a widow upon Walter’s untimely death Sept. 3, 1986, at age 53.

Claire is survived by and will be deeply missed by her children, Walter G. Cook Jr. (Ellen) of Novato, Calif., Nora J. Ratto (Peter) of San Mateo, Calif., Daniel E. Cook of Danbury, Michael F. Cook of Norwich and Brian J. Cook (Sharon) of Quaker Hill. Claire also leaves behind her loving sister, Nancy Garagliano of Niantic; eight grandchildren, Walter III and Claire Cook, Elizabeth and Michela Ratto, Michael and Caroline Cook, and Brett and Andrew (Drew) Cook); great-granddaughter Willow Grace Cook; half-sister Mary St. Germain of Killingly; daughter-in-law Pok Sun (Misun) Cook of Summerville, S.C.; brother-in-law Frank L. Cook III of Waterford; and other extended family.

In addition to her devoted husband, Walter, Claire is predeceased by sons Patrick Leo Cook and Richard Peter Cook; loving sister Dolores and her husband, Martin Korineck; brother-in-law Alfred Garagliano; and Patrick’s wife, Cheryl (Arsenault) Cook.

New Britain Memorial-Donald D. Sagarino Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Claire’s name to the Alzheimer’s Foundation. For an online memorial and future announcements regarding services later this year, please visit www.NewBritainSagarino.com.