Claire Sinclair Rees

Claire Sinclair Rees, 93, passed away on Friday, November 23, 2018 in Midlothian, VA. She was born in Lakewood, NJ to the late Mildred Dickerson and Malcolm Sinclair. After graduation from Lakewood High School, she worked for the USO at Lakehurst Naval Air Station. She later worked for the Lakewood Public Schools. In 1959, she moved to Petersburg, VA and became a valued school secretary in the Petersburg Public School system. In 1971, Claire relocated to North Carolina where she worked as a legal secretary, an office assistant with the Army Corps of Engineers and later as the Town Clerk on her beloved Oak Island. In her later years, Claire resided at The Chesterfield at Brandermill in Midlothian, VA. While living on Oak Island, she participated in many community outreach programs, was a devoted member of Ocean View United Methodist Church, Oak Island, NC, was a proud citizen of Brunswick County, and was a generous friend to many. Claire loved all things Scottish and traveled many times to Scotland, country of her ancestors. She was a treasured mother and grandmother and is survived by her children, Linda Kay Erb and Charles Ligon Kay, Ill, of Washington, DC; by her granddaughter, Maizie Tyler, and great granddaughters, Luxie and Luna Fernandez, of Escondido, CA. She is also survived by her brother-in-law, Elmer S. Wentz, of McDonald, PA; her nephews and nieces, Walter L. Wentz, of Washington, DC; Dr. Jeffrey S. Wentz, Brooke Riederer, and JC Wentz of Pittsburgh, PA; and Tyler Wentz of San Diego, CA; and stepsons, Robert Rees of Reno, NV and Ted Rees of Pittsburgh, PA. Claire was preceded in death by her husband, Lt. Col (USAF RET) Ernest W. Rees, of Oak Island, NC, by her dear sister, Janet L. Wentz, of Pittsburgh, PA and by her first husband, Charles Ligon Kay, Jr., of Bradenton Beach, FL. Details of the memorial service to be conducted at Wilmington National Cemetery in North Carolina will be announced at a later date. Gus am bris an la. Condolences may be registered at www.jtmorriss.com .