Despite our repeated admonitions, Claudia Mary Voight, 73, always swerved for chipmunks darting across the road. She strictly forbade anyone from disturbing her freakishly large porch spiders. And even after swearing the inn was full when our childhood hamsters spontaneously multiplied overnight, she was nonetheless rendered powerless by the sad eyes of a homeless old dog named Teddy with a balding butt and cataracts. (He moved in the next day.)

Every little life mattered to her, and she loved every living thing. And that is why we will never understand why she, a gentle, kind and sensitive soul beloved by all, was stolen from us in an act of violence on February 20, 2023, in Windham, VT. It is not how her story was supposed to end after a life spent helping anyone in need.

Born and raised in Milford, CT, Claudia grew up fishing the sandy shores of Point Beach with siblings, Audrey, Sherrie, Larry, Linda, and Heidi. Though she spent the last 23 years of her life in Vermont, her heart was always at home on the water, and she cherished old friendships from her Milford High School, Steak and Ale and softball days.

Mom believed in the afterlife, and we are comforted to think she’s reunited with her parents, Apolonia and Lawrence Cortland Williams, and her first love, husband, Douglas Brages, with whom she had two sons, Christopher and James. She was fiercely proud of Doug’s service in Vietnam, and for years after his passing, Mom would listen to audio letters he’d sent her from war to soothe her aching heart.

She found love again with Kurt Voight, remarried and raised their three daughters Gretchen, Heidi, and Victoria on the beaches of Woodmont. A talented quilter and artist, Mom’s creative talents gave us an unfair advantage in the annual Woodmont Day costume parades, downtown Milford window painting and Walnut Beach sand castle building contests. She forged a unique career as an artisan and ran her own business producing craft fairs and expos across New England. After moving to Vermont in 2000, she put her sales and marketing expertise to work at Mount Snow, Stratton and Killington ski resorts.

Mom passionately believed everyone can and should help make the world a better, kinder place, and she led by example volunteering for nonprofits including the Special Olympics World Games, Miss Connecticut and Miss Vermont Scholarship Organizations. She proudly served in several roles with the Milford Oyster Festival, eventually as President.

She bragged about the fudge recipe she had perfected over a lifetime, but her greatest pride and joy was being “Grandma CC” to Apolonia, Violet, Leonidas, Christopher, Alexa, Haylee, and Douglas James.

In her later years, she enjoyed the quiet peace of her front porch in Windham, hand feeding birds, tending to her prized hostas, and resting in a hammock with a good book and cold glass of Chardonnay. She loved bluegrass, picking her banjo, singing along with local bands. Forever a free spirit and child of the 60s, you knew Mom was at her happiest when she would let out a high pitched “woop!” while dancing anywhere the music moved her. “Hey man, I’m a seenager!” Somewhere beyond the veil, we know she is still dancing.

We love you, Mommy. We miss you. We will never stop fighting for you.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, September 23 at 3:00 PM at Woodmont United Church of Christ, 1000 New Haven Ave, Milford, CT. All are welcome. A live stream will be available on ​the church’s website. Memorial donations can be made to the United Way of Milford and the Alexander Jordan Jamieson Foundation, helping at-risk youth through musical mentorship.