Claire J. Place

Claire J. Place, 80, resident of Milford, NH, died on January 6, 2020 at Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA. She was born in Pepperell, MA on June 25, 1939, a daughter of Walter E. and Florence (Moorhouse) Sherwood. She was raised and educated in Pepperell, MA and graduated from Pepperell High School. Claire had lived in Jaffrey, Peterborough and Nashua for many years and later moved to Milford where she has made her home since 1972. She owned and operated the Frame Depot for 23 years. Claire was an award winning winterscape artist and a member of several art groups. Claire loved big hugs and a good Sherwood giggle, and will be remembered by many for her bubbly spirit. She was active member of the Milford United Methodist Church. Claire was predeceased by her husband of 32 years, Lyle Place; two sons, Thomas A. Smith and William B. Smith and her longtime companion William C. Wrocklage. Family members include two sons, Jeffrey C. Smith and his wife, Anne Tranchemontagne, and Jerald Smith-Niles, all of Milford, NH; a daughter-in-law, T. Machusak Smith of Pittsburg, PA; four grandchildren, Courtney, Joshua, Elliot and Ben; a great grandson, Amadeus; her stepson, David Place of Amherst, NH; two sisters, Nancy Huggins of SC and Frances Davis of Pepperell, MA; many nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 18th at 1:00 pm in the Milford United Methodist Church, 327 North River Road, Milford. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, Milford, at a later date.