Claire E. (Purdy) Bickford
Claire E. (Purdy) Bickford passed away Wednesday March 27, 2019 surrounded by her loving family and friends, at the home of her adopted daughter, Aida Otero. Claire was born May 20, 1932 in Winchendon, MA to Rebecca and Herbert Purdy, the youngest of eight children. As a youngster, Claire attended school in Hinsdale, N.H. and at age eight her family moved to Westfield. She graduated with high honors from Westfield High School, class of 1950. Within two weeks of graduating, Claire was hired by Old Colony Envelope Co. where she worked for forty-four years, retiring in 1994. Claire married Eugene “Gene” Bickford IV on August 28, 1954. She was predeceased by Gene, her soulmate and the love of her life, in 2013. Through their engagement, Gene’s Service to his country in WW-II and Korea, and throughout fifty-eight years of married life, their devotion to each other never wavered. Predeceased by her parents and by her siblings. Sisters; Leah Perkins, Ruth Schultz Stevens, Marian Roit and brothers; Benjamin, Harry, Edmund and Marcus, she leaves behind to cherish her memory her family and many friends, and her devoted friend and confidant Aida Otero, whom she loved dearly. Claire was “auntie” to 194 nieces and nephews, including among them her godchildren, Rebecca (Tardif) Kohl and Susan (Schultz) Nardacci. Claire will always be remembered for her generous spirit, her loving heart and her quick wit and humor. If you wanted an honest, straight up answer, Claire would be your “go to” gal. We are all going to miss her! The funeral for Claire will be held on Tuesday April 2nd at 9 am from the Firtion-Adams Funeral Service, 76 Broad Street, Westfield, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10 am in St. Peter and St. Casimir Church, 24 State Street. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery. Calling hours will be held on Monday at the funeral home from 4-7 pm. Firtionadams.com
