Claire (Johnson) Pedersen

SHARON — Claire (Johnson) Pedersen, 75, of Mitchell Town Road, passed away at home on May 10, 2013, after a full and active life. She was the loving wife for 48 years of Edward A. “Eddie” Pedersen. Claire was born in Sharon on April 15,1938, with her late twin sister, Arleen Blass. She was the daughter of the late Karen “Carrie” Elizabeth (Aakjar) and Harry Lyman Johnson. She attended Sharon Center School and was a class of 1956 Housatonic Valley Regional High School alumna. She joined the Girl Scouts of America and loved camping. Among her most memorable camping trips was one with her beloved poodle, Goo Goo, at Dolly Copp Campgrounds in New Hampshire. In the early 1960s, she owned and ran the Brown Barn Cotton Shop in Falls Village. She was a bookkeeper at Salisbury Bank & Trust Co., and then she worked with her husband running the E.A. Pedersen Bus Company for the town of Sharon.Claire loved her vacations, traveling throughout the United States and Europe. She would always take a sister, family member, or friend to share in her fun. She even drove two elderly aunts to Branson, Mo., on a grand tour; and right there, she deserves a gold star. With each and every trip, she always came home closer to the Lord.For 48 years, until her death, Claire was a very active member of Sharon United Methodist Church. Prior to her enrollment in the Methodist Church, Claire attended Sunday School at the Sharon Congregational Church and was a member of the Falls Village Congregational Church. Claire is a true daughter of Sharon. Her family’s history through the St. Johns/Johnsons dates back to 1742 with activity in the Revolutionary War, instilling in young Claire a pride in her heritage and home. Equally, Claire was proud of her mother’s Danish heritage, through her immigrant parents, Pedar and Gertrude Aakjar. Although the Aakjars were busy with their own large brood of 10 children, they always found time to lend a helping hand and a home-cooked meal to any in their community. Claire picked up this family tradition and made it a life’s work to help any and all families in need through the Sharon United Methodist Church. She was also a member of Taghkannuck Grange 100.This strength of belief in God and her community gave Claire the courage to fight her three-and-a-half year battle with stage 4 ovarian cancer, while having a full and active life. Right until the end, she was an active member of the Cancer Survivors’ rowing team and bowled every week in Torrington. Four years ago, Claire attended the Sharon Fire Department’s Adult Soap Box Derby and wondered, characteristically, why there were no women drivers. For the next three years, you can bet Claire was there, racing down the hill, as fast as her little car could go — even one time winning the “Slowest Roll Award”! Proud of her performance to date, Claire was ultimately looking forward to upgrading her car to “take ’em all on this year.” In addition to her husband Edward, Claire is survived by her daughter, Dorinda Truax of Stephentown, N.Y.; her son, Brian E. Pedersen of Sharon; her sister, Belle Becker of Sharon; several nieces and nephews; and many cousins. The Kenny Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements. A memorial service celebrating her life will be held at the Sharon United Methodist Church on Saturday, May 18, at 11 a.m., with a reception afterward. Burial will be held privately at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sharon United Methodist Church, PO Box 172, Sharon, CT 06069, to continue Claire’s work in always helping those in need.