Claire had many close friends and she was a popular
and important member of the team at Norwich Magistrates'
Court. She was always very enthusiastic and committed
to ensuring she did a good job and we shall miss her
greatly for her cheerful and outgoing personality as
much as for her work. Our thoughts are with her family
at this very difficult time.
Pauline Cornford, area director for the courts
across Norfolk
I find it so hard to believe she has died like this.
Claire was kind and gentle with such an enthusiasm for
life and a tremendous sense of fun. She was especially
close to her mum who must be devastated by her tragic
loss and my heart goes out to her and all of Claire's
family.
I would often meet Claire for lunch as we both worked
within the Criminal Justice System, and I find it ironic
and so tragic that Claire could access any support she
needed, yet she now appears to have become a victim
to a terrible crime herself.
Claire loved to travel and made friends with people
wherever she went, as she was the life and soul of a
party.
Claire also had a caring side to her and was incredibly
tolerant and understanding of other people and genuinely
cared about her friends; she was very much loved by
everyone who knew her and I, like so many of her friends,
will miss her so much.
Bev Pegg
Claire was a beautiful diamond whom I had the privilege
to call my very close friend.
She was like a little sister to me, and we always called
each other big sis and little sis.
I have not only lost a friend, I have also lost a true
soulmate. She was always there for you whenever you
needed her, no matter what time of day or night, she
would do anything for anyone, never had a bad word to
say about anyone, always gave people the benefit of
the doubt.
Her face and smile and laugh used to light up the room,
and I will miss her with all my heart. But she will
still be with me wherever I go and whatever I do, she
will be there. Her life will go on in many of us.
My heart and my thoughts go out to her mum, dad and
brother and all the family through this tragic time.
Claire Catchpole
Claire is one of the most amazing and genuine people
I have been fortunate enough to have as my friend. She
is so caring, generous, considerate and fun-loving.
We loved having a few beers together and having a laugh.
Claire never had a bad word to say about anybody and
had so many friends. I hope to God she did not suffer
and justice will be served. I will miss her so much.
The world has lost a fabulous person. It is so unfair.”
Glynn Field, a friend from Beith in Scotland, added:
“We met Claire 10 years ago in Tenerife.
She was to go on holiday with a group of us in August
to Whitby Folk Festival and she was so excited.
She never forgot a birthday or Christmas, she called
myself and my wife her Scottish mum and dad.”
Annie Rushmer
She was a dear friend of mine whilst I was living in
Gertrude Road and knew her for four years; we shared
many a bottle of wine in her flat and at mine. She had
a heart of gold and was a bubbly, fun-loving girl. I
cannot believe anybody would do this. My heart and thoughts
go out to her family.
Tara Nasreen
It does not surprise me how many people say the same
thing about Claire, she had a zest for life some of
us could only wish for. With Claire you were blessed
with a kind, generous, warm selfless and vivacious friend.
Claire lived for her family and friends and it is a
testament that every one who knew her felt truly blessed
to have her as a friend. I met Claire at City College
and feel privileged and honoured to have known her and
to have been able to call her my friend.
Sharon Colyer
I met Claire a couple of years ago and ever since I
have know her she has always been a kind loving, caring
individual who always wore a huge smile. Her kindness
emanated from her where ever she went. Why do bad things
have to happen to good, honest, kind people? All my
thoughts and prayers go out to her family.
Nikki Smith
i went to school with claire , she was kind and gentle
girl , just cant get over it ,she really wouldnt hurt
a fly , she will be missed loads my heart goes out to
her family xx
becky hill
my husband and i were very sad and shocked to hear
of claires death...we have known clair and her family
for many years now and have seen her grow up in the
different stages of her life,she was always a gentle
very caring child,and grew up to be a lovely caring
woman.we have not seen her alot for the last 2 years,but
always regard her with great affection.....our hearts
go out to her parents and her brother.claire will be
greatly missed.....
sheila and kevin winn
I was fortunate enough to have worked closely with
Claire in Court Services until my retirement in 2003,
and we remained friends. She was extremely kind and
caring with a bubbly personality. I cannot believe that
her life has been so cruely cut short.
My thoughts are with her family.
Jan Roberts.
we only knew you for a short while but you were always
smiling and full of life, you were a true friend who
was always there. weekends will never be the same
god bless you
love you always,
Bimbo,Ginge,Ria, Timotei, Steve and Hazel
Claire was an absolute treasure to know; she was professional,
extremely helpful and always, without exception, kind,
thoughtful and cheerful. She was fun to work with, to
socialise with and I know there will now be a huge void
at the court without her bubbly personality there to
light it up. An awful tragedy that someone who gave
so much, that had so much left to give, is gone from
the lives of those whom she made such a lasting impression
on. I would like to extend my deepest condolences to
Claire's family, friends and colleagues at this terrible,
sad time.
Caroline Harrison - past colleague.
i moved to norwich 3 years ago now ,to move in with
my partner ,at the time didnt have any friends,....met
claire through a work friend, she was always so bubbly
and funny and always seemed to help me feel comfortable
with new people, such a treasure and most deffinatly
a people person...its so sad that a women with such
an amazing love of life and love for all around her
has gone ...i will remember her always as a fun loving,special
person from
sharon miller
Anyone would have been proud to have Claire as a friend.
She lived life to the full, but had so much more living
to do, she loved life.
How could such a wonderful caring person be taken from
us in this way. My heart goes out to Claires family
who must be absolutely devastated.
I had known Claire since she was sixteen, we worked
together at B.H.S in Gt. Yarmouth. We had remained good
friends ever since. God bless you my dear friend Claire.
Jill Howe.
When I first heard the news about Claire I was in shock,
I couldn't believe that my Dear Friend had been taken
away so tragically and I still can't believe it today.
I first got in touch with Claire in Xmas of 1993, I
wrote to her through her Brother David whom I already
knew. She wrote back and we carried on exchanging letters,
sometimes every month, as well as sending each other
Xmas and Birthday Cards. She would always tell me about
what was happening in her life, about her Friends, Boyfriends,
what she was doing and about her jobs. Sometimes she
would enclose photos of her Family, Friends and her
Boyfriends but no matter what she was doing or how busy
she was, she would always find time to write to me.
That's one of the things about her, she had time for
everyone. I then met up with her in 1995 she was over
in Doncaster and mentioned to me about us meeting up.
It is a meeting I will never forget, we got on so well
and couldn't stop chatting, we had such a laugh and
what was the beginning of a Beautiful Friendship and
we still kept in touch with more letters as well as
emails and phone calls, she also visited me again a
few more times after that. I also remember the first
birthday present she got me was a "Little Miss
Chatterbox" Mr Men book, she said it reminded her
of when we first met up because we couldn't stop chatting.
My Mum spotted a friend tribute card, which I bought.
So this is my tribute to my Very Dear Best Friend: -
"In Loving Memory of My Dearest Friend: Whenever
I was feeling down, Or I was feeling blue, The first
thing that I'd always do, Is turn, my friend to you.
In no time Id feel better, You had that certain way,
of bringing out the sunshine, When all looked dark and
grey. All these things I miss so much, They've all come
to an end, But they'll never be forgotten, Just like
you my friend".
I have framed the tribute card with a smiling photo
of Claire next to it and it takes pride of place in
my home and when ever I look at it, it makes me smile.
One of the biggest regrets that I have in my life; is
that I never went over to visit her, I had said to myself
in the beginning of 2008 that I was definitely going
to visit her, but I never got the chance. She had such
a wonderful smile and I will always remember that about
her as well as everything else; her zest for life, the
life and the soul of the party, her funny and jokey
personality, her caring ways and thoughtfulness, she
is missed and I feel both honoured and privileged to
have known her. It's these things about Claire that
I remember, along with her letters, cards and photo's
that I have to cherish and that keeps me going.
My sympathy goes out to her Mum, Dad, Brother, Family,
Her Other Friends and Work Colleagues
You are deeply missed My Dear Friend.
With Love from Your Friend (One of Many)
Hazel Rodwell
xxxx