Claire Duffield Obituary

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Claire, after a short illness, in Mississauga, Ontario, on Feb 2, 2026. Claire was predeceased by her parents Edward and Genevieve Hartley, her brother Philip Hartley, her stepson Bob Duffield, her husbands Ernst Friderichs (1993) and Tom Duffield (1996), as well as companion Baden Pinney (2021). She is survived by her children, Ernst, Suzanne (Rocco), and Ken (Nathalie), and stepchildren, Logan (Nancy), and Tim (Ellen). Proud grandmother to Sebastian, Sedona, Chloée, and step-grandchildren, Katherine, Ted, Eric, Jeff, Rob, Joel, and Emily.

She will be missed by her nephew Julien (Chris), and niece Caroline. Claire came to Canada from England. She lived in Ottawa, and later the Montréal area, where she raised her family. She and Tom eventually moved to the Kingston area, to retire. Claire completed her Master's Degree in Theological Studies, at Queen's University. She also loved working in the Faculty of Education at Queen's. Claire and Tom retired in a house they built, on Sydenham Lake. They led a full life with their many caring neighbors and friends.

Claire was an active member of St. Paul's Anglican Church in Sydenham, where she played the organ and sang in the choir. After losing Tom, Claire met Baden, with whom she spent many memorable years. Claire was a talented pianist, entertaining many over the years, including at her Retirement Home, the Village of Humber Heights, in Etobicoke, where she spent the last few years of her life. Claire enjoyed dancing, playing bingo, singing karaoke, and socializing with the many friends she made there. She will be dearly missed by her amazing caregivers and the wonderful staff.

A Celebration of Life will be held in the Spring, at St. Paul's Anglican Church, in Sydenham, Ontario. As expressions of sympathy, memorial donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, Alzheimer's Society, or Right to Learn-Afghanistan, would be greatly appreciated by the family.