Jane Claire Kirby, 95, Former Ridgefield Rotary Citizen of the Year, Longtime Health Care Worker at RVNAhealth, has Died

Jane Claire Kirby passed peacefully at her residence at Ridgefield Crossings on January 21, 2023. She was 95 years old, a proud mother of five daughters and a widow of fifty years.

Claire was born on August 10, 1927, to Vincent and Mae Cushing in Huntington, NY. She graduated from Huntington High School in 1945 and continued to Southampton Nursing School. Her program was sponsored by the US Military and despite the war ending during her first year, the military honored its commitment, and she graduated as an RN in 1948. 

She married Patrick Kirby, an Army veteran, in 1950. While Pat was working full time during the day and gaining his college degree at night, Claire continued her nursing career and began raising a family in Huntington, Kings Park and Northport, Long Island. In 1968 the family moved to Ridgefield.

Claire loved the excitement and pace of Emergency Room nursing at Danbury Hospital but following the sudden death of her husband in 1973, Claire transferred her skills to home health care, working for the Ridgefield Visiting Nurses Association for almost 40 years.

She had a passion of helping others and always stood up for the underdogs. Her fighting spirit came with a sharp sense of humor which made her popular with her patients.

The Rotary Club honored her for her service and her impact on generations of families in Ridgefield with their Citizen of the Year Award and RVNA hosted a grand farewell upon her retirement at age 72. She continued to volunteer at health and blood pressure clinics, and at AmeriCares in Danbury. A devoted animal lover, Claire rescued both dogs and cats. An avid sports fan, she spent years playing women’s softball and pick-up games of hoops and was always the loudest supporter in the stands at youth games.

Besides her husband, Claire is predeceased by her parents, her sister June, and brother Tom. She is survived by her daughters Jane Royal of Madison, GA, Carol Kirby of St Charles, IL, Barbara Landers of Whitingham, VT, Nancy Wilhoit of North Palm Beach, FL and Ann Coe of Harpersville, AL. She has eleven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Family and friends will be received on Friday, January 27, 2023, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Kane Funeral Home; 25 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, January 28, 2023, at 9:30 AM at Saint Mary’s Church; 55 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield. Interment will follow in Saint Mary’s Cemetery, Ridgefield.

Contributions in Claire’s memory may be made to an animal rescue organization of your choice.