Claire Patricia Dudley

Claire Patricia Livingston (Dudley) was born on February 13, 1947, in Kingston, Jamaica to the

late Thaddeus Livingston and Edith Paddyfoot. She transitioned on July 4, 2024, at Kings

County Hospital, Brooklyn, NY.

She attended Chetolah Park Primary School and Kingston Senior School in Jamaica before

migrating to the United States on July 21, 1969. Claire initially lived with the Black family and

then with her brother, Carlton, and Mary Livingston. She married Philip A. Dudley on December

24, 1969.

Claire worked for the Delaware State Hospital while living in Delaware and would later work for

the Menorah Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing Care, in Brooklyn, NY until she retired in

2002. She would then spend every November to March in Jamaica.

Claire ‘s kindness and generosity left a lasting impact on many lives. Her cousin, Adlin (June)

remembers Carl and Claire going with Ms. Martina (Mamas) to Portland (down the riverbed) to

visit and take food to her grandparents. Her beloved first cousin, Faye Edwards, entrusted her

children with Claire’s contact details in America. In the 1980s, before the age of cell phones,

Tony arrived at JFK airport armed only with Claire's address. He found in her a willing and

supportive figure who extended her care to him and his siblings: Christine, Tony, Apple, Bobbi,

Kevin, Marie, Donna, and Junior. She loved all her nephews and nieces, but Derrick was the

child of her heart and “her baby.” Even after she became ill and no longer able to travel, she

would call every week to check on him.

Claire could cook. Once she arrived in town, people would request that she cook for them dishes

such as mackerel run down, steam fish, and chicken foot soup that would mek you lick yuh ten

finga. Her cooking demonstrated her love for everyone.

A fun-loving spirit, Claire had a unique ability to infuse any gathering with laughter and joy. She

cherished life's simple pleasures and had an infectious enthusiasm that brightened the lives of

those around her. As young siblings, we remember her getting on the floor to play Jacks or

marbles with us. Her sister friend, Faye Charlton, and Claire loved getting together with friends.

Claire loved listening to Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, Marcia Griffiths, the Wailers and

especially her brother, Bunny Wailer. Friends and family will fondly remember her laughter and

warmth alike.

Claire was a lifelong member of her home church, St. Therese of Lisieux, where she volunteered

to clean the church weekly. You better not call her early in the morning because she spoke to no

one until after she finished her devotions and prayers.

Claire was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her brothers, Neville O’Reilly

Livingston, and Carlton Joseph Livingston. To cherish her memory, Claire leaves behind her

friend, Mary (Carl’s wife), nine sisters Shirley, Thelma (Tony), Monica Robb, Vinette, Carol,

Rose Marie, Claudette, Evelyn (Delroy), and Sheila and a brother, Donovan plus a host of nieces,

nephews, cousins, a loving extended family, and friends will treasure the memory of Claire.

A celebration of life will be held on August 10, 2024, at 10:00am at House of Wright Mortuary,

208 E. 35th Street, Wilmington, DE 19802. All who knew her are invited to join in honoring her

legacy of love and devotion.