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Claire Halbardier of Hampton Bays died on June 1 after a brief illness. She was 86.
Born in Fall River, Massachusetts, on August 12, 1927, to the late Louis and Rose Belisle Halbardier, she attended the Dominican Academy and graduated from B.M.C. Durfee High School in Fall River. In 1989, she graduated cum laude from the Gallatin School of Individualized Study at New York University’s School of Arts and Sciences, where she received a bachelor’s degree as a fine arts major with a focus on Chinese art history.
After working for nine years in the insurance industry, Ms. Halbardier married in 1952 and had two sons, Eric and Jeffrey. She was a devoted mother, an avid golfer and curler, and loved to socialize with her many friends. While she lived in New Hartford, New York, she was a member of the Yahnundasis Golf Club, the Fort Schuyler Club, the Utica Curling Club and the Pippin Hill Garden Club. She also enjoyed dressmaking, cooking and writing.
She always enjoyed the arts. As a young mother she spent time painting still-lifes with an abstract bent. She co-founded the Greater Utica Artists League Inc., which supported the work of local artists.
After her children graduated from college, she moved to New York City and began her studies at New York University. After graduating, she joined the Frick Art Reference Library, first as the assistant to the Andrew W. Mellon librarian and associate librarian, and later as the manager of reception services. After retiring in 1999, she moved to Sag Harbor to be closer to the water, which she loved, and joined the Sag Harbor Whaling and Historical Museum as manager of the museum shop. She moved in 2006 to Hampton Bays, where she continued to enjoy all of her interests and spending time with friends. She was a member of St. Ann’s Episcopal Church in Bridgehampton.
She is survived by two sons, Eric Freeman and wife Karen of Connecticut and Jeffrey Freeman of New York City; a grandson, Christopher Freeman of Connecticut; and nieces Joanne Halbardier of Washington, D.C., and Suzanne Halbardier of New York City. She was predeceased by a brother, Roger Halbardier.
A private burial was held in June. For online condolences please visit oconnellfunerals.com. Contributions in her memory may be made to St. Ann’s Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 961, Bridgehampton, NY 11932.
on Jul 29, 2014