Claire Valentine-Nolan

Claire Valentine Nolan, beloved wife, sister, aunt, friend, business owner, and unforgettable force of nature, passed away on July 1 at the age of 64.

Born on October 13, 1961, in St. Petersburg, Florida, Claire was the daughter of Eugene and Claire Valentine. She later made her home in Fulton, Maryland, where she built a life defined by humor, service, hard work, generosity, and love.

Claire shared 46 years with her husband, John Nolan. They were each other’s closest companions, caring for one another through life’s many joys, challenges, and successes.

For more than 30 years, Claire served countless families in Howard and Anne Arundel counties through the assisted living businesses she built and operated, including Ferncare Corp., Montclaire Manor, and ICAN Consulting. She was widely respected as knowledgeable, resourceful, compassionate, and deeply committed to helping families find care and solutions during some of the most difficult moments of their lives. Claire also inspired extraordinary loyalty from the staff who worked with her.

Claire was remarkably bright, endlessly curious, and a voracious reader. She had an extraordinary ability to understand and retain information, and she seemed to know something about everything — current events, pop culture, sports, business, history, and whatever else came up in conversation.

She was hilariously funny, with humor that was sharp, quick, fearless, and entirely her own. Claire could say what no one else would dare say and somehow leave everyone helpless with laughter. She was also a gifted and outrageous storyteller, able to take a family memory, a small incident, or a bit of everyday drama and turn it into something unforgettable. As a great historian of her cherished family, she remembered the stories, personalities, relationships, and details that connected generations.

Claire was honest in a way that was unmistakable. She did not say things she did not mean, and with her, you always knew exactly where you stood. That same honesty made her compliments especially meaningful. She had a rare gift for offering them the moment she saw you, with such passion and enthusiasm that she could make you feel immediately better about yourself.

Her love was just as genuine. Many people say “I love you,” but with Claire, you could feel it. Her affection had weight and meaning, especially for her beloved nieces and nephews — Hugh, Alex, David, Catherine, Nina, Jack, Brooke, and Grant. Each held a special place in her heart, and her presence in their lives was constant, generous, funny, protective, and deeply loving.

Claire was a devoted sister to Dennis, Vanessa, David, and Victoria, and she treasured her siblings deeply. That same devotion extended to her aunts, uncles, cousins, extended relatives, and John’s family, with whom she shared close and meaningful relationships. She was especially close with John’s mother, Wanda Nolan, and his siblings, Linda Bessing, Robert Nolan, Susan Parker, and Cary Leyenar, embracing them with the same warmth, humor, loyalty, and genuine interest that she brought to all the people she loved. Claire valued those connections deeply and took great joy in being part of a large, close-knit family.

She loved gathering with the people she cared about, sharing stories and good times. She was an excellent cook who often made far more food than anyone could possibly eat, and she cooked with skill, pride, and abundance. She was an exceptional gardener, a devoted dog owner, a lover of the beach, an enthusiastic sports fan, a racing fan, and someone who found joy in live music, the arts, and performances.

For Claire, sitting on the beach in Pass-a-Grille, Florida, or Topsail, North Carolina, with the Allman Brothers playing, the sun shining, and a good book in her hands, was very close to heaven.

Claire lived openly, fearlessly, joyfully, and authentically. She was loud and loving, funny and brilliant, generous and fiercely honest. She filled every room she entered, and the room was better for it. She will be remembered with laughter, gratitude, and profound love by all who were lucky enough to know her.

Claire was predeceased by her parents, Eugene and Claire Valentine. She is survived by her beloved husband, John Nolan; her siblings, Dennis Valentine (Patsy), Vanessa Mitchell (Mitch), David Valentine (Lisa), and Victoria Sessler (John); her beloved nieces and nephews, Hugh, Alex (Eleojo), David, Catherine (Nick), Nina, Jack, Brooke, and Grant; great nephews and nieces, Angelo, Isabella, Michael, Leonardo, Joseph and Luciana, and many extended family members, friends, staff members, residents and their families, and colleagues whose lives she touched through her care and compassion.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, July 13, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Louis Church, 12500 Clarksville Pike, Clarksville, MD 21029. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Claire’s memory to the Animal Advocates of Howard County.