CHESHIRE - Claire Wallinger, 96, passed away August 24, 2012 in the VITAS unit at St. Mary's Hospital. She was the wife of the late Arthur J. Wallinger Sr.
Mrs. Wallinger was born August 14, 1916 in Waterbury the daughter of the late Henry and Margaret (Dillon) Hackett. She was raised in Waterbury where she graduated from Sacred Heart Grammar and High Schools. After marrying her husband Arthur in 1938, she moved to Cheshire where they owned and operated Wallingers Mobil Station. During her life in Cheshire she was a communicant of St. Bridget Church. She was a member of the Mercy Circle Daughters of Isabella. She was a volunteer and longtime supporter of the Legionnaires of Christ.
After the death of her husband, Mrs. Wallinger worked at Howland Hughes Department Store in Waterbury, R.W. Hine Hardware Store in Cheshire as well as Wallinger Fuel where she was a secretary. She was a former member of the A.O.H. in Waterbury. She made afghans for the St. Vincent DePaul Society and volunteered for Catered with Care delivering meals to the homebound.
Mrs. Wallinger is survived by her sons Arthur "Butch" and his wife Patricia of Cheshire, Henry "Hank" and his wife Linda of Cheshire and Robert of Cheshire; her daughter Margaret Wallinger of Branford; her brother Frances Hackett of Waterbury; her sister Patricia Hackett of Cheshire; her grandchildren Bonnie Wallinger, A.J. Wallinger, Michael Wallinger, Laurie Hughes, Pam Casner, Vanessa Engstrom and Becky Rodrigues; 13 great grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brothers Joseph and Raymond; her sister Bernice Nolan; as well as her niece Ellen Hacket
The Wallinger family would like to thank the entire VITAS staff for their kindness, care and compassion throughout Mrs. Wallinger's stay.
Arrangements - Per Mrs. Wallinger's request, funeral services and burial will be held at the convenience of the family and there are no calling hours. The Alderson Funeral Home of Cheshire, 615 S. Main St. is assisting with arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Bridget Church, 175 Main St., Cheshire, CT 06410 or to the St. Vincent DePaul Soc., 34 Willow St., Waterbury, CT 06710.