Claire Wever Bracaglia, of Amston, Connecticut, passed away on May 7, 2026, at the Portland Care & Rehabilitation Centre in Portland Connecticut. She was 84 years old. Claire was born in Manhattan, NY on January 19, 1942. She was the daughter of the late George DeWolf Wever and Jane (Becker) Wever, both of Manhattan, NY. Claire earned a bachelors degree in art history from Vassar College and worked as an assistant curator at the Metropolitan Museum in New York. She married Bartolomeo Bracaglia from Rome, Italy in 1966 subsequently relocating to London, England and then Rome, Italy where she lived for 25 years. Claire raised her four beloved children Angela, Daniele, Gabriella, and Francesca Romana there in Rome.

Claire treasured her youth years spent between New York City and Onteora Club nestled in the Catskill Mountains in Tannersville, NY. She loved her Catskill Mountains so very deeply and created lifelong memories and friendships over the years. After living in Italy, she returned to the United States in 1992 with her children and settled in upstate New York first in Albany, NY and then back in her beloved Catskill Mountains. During this time, Claire worked as a secretary for the Ten Broek Mansion in Albany, NY and then for the Greene County Council of the Arts in Catskill, NY. In 2005, Claire moved to Colchester, Connecticut and then to Amston, Connecticut to be closer to family and has resided with her daughter Angela Leshak and her family in Amston since 2014. While in Connecticut, Claire worked as membership coordinator and secretary at the Webb Deane Stevens Museum in Wethersfield and also as Parish Secretary for St Peters Episcopal Church in Hebron. Claires 20 years at St Peters Episcopal church allowed her to create deep friendships across the Parish community, including with Father Ron Kolanowski. She treasured her bond with Father Ron, who was a great support for her particularly during her final months.

Claire was an avid gardener and passionate supporter of animal rescues throughout her lifetime. Claire treasured the companionship of many of pets over the years and in her last months looked forward to being reunited with her 4 beloved dogs (Clover, Tina, Annie, Suzette) and 3 cats (Zughi, Edwina, and Micky) who have all predeceased her.

Claire will be missed dearly by all who knew her, especially by her children and their spouses: Angela Leshak and her husband Stephen of Amston; Daniele Bracaglia and his wife Virginia Rubey of Selkirk, NY; Gabriella Bracaglia of Yonkers, NY; Francesca Romana Bracaglia and her partner Karina Cascante of Phoenicia, NY; and by her 5 grandchildren: Derek Leshak of Boston, MA; Christina Leshak of Amston, CT; Francesco, Enrico, and Giovanni Bracaglia all of Selkirk, NY. She also leaves several extended family members including 3 stepsons and 3 nieces. In addition to her husband and parents, Claire was also predeceased by her sister, Melissa Wilson of Terre Haute, Indiana.

The family also wishes to extend a particular thank you to the wonderful community of Portland Care & Rehabilitation Centre who cared for her during her last 4 weeks of life. At Portland, Claire was supported by many amazing medical professionals and staff who showed true compassion and loving care.

Services will be held on Wednesday, May 20th at 11AM at St. Peters Episcopal Church, 30 Church St., Hebron, CT, preceded by calling hours at 10AM, also at St Peters Episcopal Church. Following the services, there will be a small reception in the church hall. Later in the summer, Claire will be buried in the Catskill Mountains in the Onteora Club Cemetery in Tannersville, NY at a date yet to be determined.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Claires memory may be made to the Tomten Farm & Sanctuary (www.tomtenfarmandsanctuary.org) or to the Rosemary Farm in South Kortright, NY (www.rosemaryfarm.org).

Aurora-McCarthy Funeral Home of Colchester has been entrusted with care of arrangements. For online condolences, please visit www.auroramccarthyfuneralhome.com
 

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