Claudia Josephine Hackett

Rye Beach - Claudia Josephine (Marcou) Hackett, 91, of Rye, NH died November 18, 2025, at her home surrounded by family after a period of declining health. Born in Portland, ME, the daughter of Louis Benjamin Marcou, MD, and Yvonne (Chretien) Marcou on July 11, 1934, she grew up in Berlin, NH, graduating from Berlin High School and the University of Vermont (Class of ‘57) with a degree in nursing. Following several years of clinical experience in pediatric and public health roles in TX, AZ and CT, Claudia earned her masters degree in nursing education from Boston College (1963). In 1964 she married Raymond W. Hackett, Jr. and they spent their first year of marriage in Madrid, Spain, where she taught English and became fluent in Spanish. Returning to the US, they settled in Rye Beach, built their own home, and began raising a family. There, her affection and attachment for the New Hampshire Seacoast began in 1965 and continued to grow for the next 60 years. The family, including their three young children, traveled extensively throughout Mexico on two separate year-long sabbatical excursions where they were immersed in the language and culture. Claudia then re-entered the nursing profession, and from 1981 to 1996 she served as school nurse for several Portsmouth (NH) public schools including Dondero, New Franklin, Wentworth and Little Harbor. In 1993, Claudia was named the NH School Nurse of the Year in recognition of her tireless advocacy for all children. Following her retirement from school nursing, she devoted a great deal of her time to volunteer efforts with the Rye Public Library, Rye Senior SERVE, and Saint Theresa Catholic Church, where she was an avid member of the choir. Claudia was known and will be remembered for her adventurous spirit, a kind and generous heart, boundless energy in the service of others, and unshakeable faith. Claudia is predeceased by her husband, Raymond W. Hackett, Jr. as well as parents Louis B. Marcou, MD and Yvonne Chretien Marcou, and her sister, Lois J. (Marcou) Kilroy. She leaves behind her three children, Charles M. Hackett and his wife, Elizabeth of Hanover NH; Catherine A. Esmonde and her husband, Laurence of Kensington, NH; and Daniel R. Hackett and his wife, Katherine of Rye, NH; grandchildren Finnegan, Ethan, Daniel, Samuel, Molly, Ray and Benjamin; cousin Maureen Van Horn of Concord, NH; many dear nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews; and too many devoted and cherished friends to list. A Memorial Mass will be held on Tuesday, November 25, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Saint Theresa Catholic Church, 820 Central Road, Rye Beach, NH with a reception to follow directly at the Saint Theresa Parish Center. Internment will be at St. Anne’s Cemetery in Berlin, NH.. To attend the Mass remotely, please click here on the day and time of the funeral Mass. In lieu of flowers, donations in Claudia’s memory may be made to: GATHER For a Hunger Free Community by clicking here 143 Heritage Ave, Unit 3 Portsmouth NH, 03801 or the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Hampton by clicking here 289 Lafayette Road Hampton 03842

Claudia Josephine Hackett

July 11, 1934 - November 18, 2025