R.I.P. Claire Marie Dowling

Claire Marie Dowling, 66, of Sarasota, FL, longtime resident of Ridgefield, died peacefully October 2, 2022, while on vacation in the Cayman Islands.

Claire was born November 23, 1955 in Norwalk, CT, the third of eight children of the late John Edward Dowling and Regina (Malkiewicz) Dowling of Ridgefield. Claire grew up on High Ridge Avenue in Ridgefield and graduated from Ridgefield High School in 1973. She earned a BA at Boston College before beginning her career in retailing at Filene’s Basement in Boston. She moved to New York City, working into the 1990’s as a buyer and in product development. She left her retail career as the national sales manager for Dana Buchmann.

In 1986, Claire married L. Nicholas (Nick) Deane, who passed away in 2008. Frequent travelers to New Orleans and the Caribbean, the couple realized their dream of full-time beach life by moving from New York City to Montauk, NY in 1998.  Shortly after moving, they opened and managed Nick’s Restaurant, a beachfront cajun-stylevenue known for its warm hospitality and cool music.  Claire also sold real estate in Montauk and surrounding towns and enjoyed telling funny stories about lives of the rich and famous in the Hamptons. She sold Nick’s Restaurant in 2010 and moved to the Island of Anguilla where she used her real estate experience to sell island properties. In 2021, she relocated to the Sarasota, FL area to be closer to her family in the US while enjoying Florida’s west coast lifestyle.

Claire was happiest when she could be on or near any ocean, particularly in warm weather. An avid reader, she never went to the beach without a good book. Known for her distinctive laugh and great wit, she generously hosted family and friends wherever she lived.

Claire is survived by her seven siblings: Mary Dowling Marino of Camano Island, WA; Michael Dowling of Fairfield, CT; Margaret Dowling of Los Gatos, CA; Theresa Dowling of Camano Island, WA; Joseph Dowling of Bethel, CT; Anthony Dowling of Southern Pines, NC; John Dowling of Fairfield, CT, 12 nieces and nephews and many devoted friends.

A celebration of Claire’s life will be held in the late Spring of 2023 in Montauk, NY