Claire Florence Hogenkamp

Claire Florence Hogenkamp decided that enough was enough, and true to her nature, she chose to exit with dignity on her own terms.  On November 21, 2025, surrounded by her closest loved ones, Claire departed for the Elysian Fields.  She assured us only the best people will be there with all of her pets and she was looking forward to it. 

Born on the Ides of March, 1940, in The Hague, Netherlands to Canadian mother, Florence (Balharrie) and Dutch father, Jan Hogenkamp, her earliest memories were of a close-knit family trying to create normalcy in a land occupied by the Nazis.  She was deeply proud to be the daughter and niece of members of the Dutch Resistance and kept telling their stories her entire life.  She and her parents emigrated from the Netherlands when Claire was just six years old, settling in Montreal.  Although her parents died when Claire was only in her early 20s, their love of animals, the natural world, fighting spirit, and sense of social justice were deeply instilled in her and she did her best to inspire those qualities in others.

Claire had wanted to be a veterinarian, but vet schools weren’t yet accepting young women when she gradated high school.  But she had also received an art scholarship, which took her to Sir George Williams University (now Concordia) where she entered art school, studying under some of Canada’s greatest artists and immersing her in Montreal’s vibrant art scene.  Years later, Claire would tell stories about those days (such as entertaining a Cambridge spy (she didn’t know at the time), hosting parties for composers and philosophers, and breakfasting with Leonard Cohen) that some incorrectly believed to be exaggerations.  She also made life-long friends, especially with Julie Szablowski, another young artist with whom she shared a studio.  Their friendship would span close to sixty years.  Active in the anti-nuclear and Civil Rights movements, Claire was never afraid to stand up for her beliefs.  As an artist, Claire was quickly drawn to the tactile world of woodcuts and print-making and later was an innovator in poly-resin sculpture, and would begin experimenting with multi-media that included textile, photography and film.  She exhibited alongside other emerging Canadian artists such as Micheal Snow and Anne Kahane and her sculptural series “Sun Worshippers” was a highlight of the Expo ‘67 exhibition. 

Claire Hogenkamp was the first Canadian woman to win three Canada Council for the Arts awards, the third one taking her to Columbia University in 1969 to pursue an MFA in film.  In New York, Claire came into her own.  She had left a loveless marriage and a promising art career to chart a new path.  In New York, she would learn not only film making, but also to love herself in sobriety.  Film and television brought her new creative challenges, new awards and accolades, and introduced her to teaching.  She taught film and animation to inner city youth at risk as part of the Head Start program.  Years later in Toronto, she would also redesign some of York University’s core film studies courses, and teach English at Centennial College.  But it was while working at a network studio in Manhattan, Claire, newly sober, met Elliot Hirschman, a charismatic young man, himself also recently sober.  Elliot, who was the love of her life, soon moved into Claire’s Upper West Side apartment and a year later they were married.  Claire introduced Elliot to the Laurentian mountains in Quebec, where she owned a small cottage on a little lake.  She taught him about wild animals and birds, outhouses and wood stoves.  He learned how to use a chainsaw and embraced plaid flannel shirts.  In 1977, after the birth of their beloved daughter Maya, they moved to Sheepshead Bay in Brooklyn.  For a while, everything was great, but Elliot struggled to maintain his sobriety.  Eventually, Claire made the exceptionally difficult decision to protect herself and Maya from his addiction and move back to Canada.  The hope was he would eventually be able to join them, but it was not to be the case.

Although many of her Montreal friends had relocated to Toronto, moving there was nonetheless challenging.  Claire struggled to transpose her successful film production career into Canadian television, but faced with the dilemma of raising her daughter as a single parent, she would eventually settle into a communications role with the Ontario Government, finding deep satisfaction working with the Ministry of Natural Resources.  Here, as with first art and then film, Claire also made a success, eventually winning an Amethyst Award, one of the highest awards for excellence in the civil service.  She became active in community development, helping to found and run one of Toronto’s first after-school programs for grade school-aged children, and later volunteering with the Native Canadian Centre.  Although it was hard at times, Claire used her financial acumen to hold onto the cottage, which would become central to her and Maya’s life.  It was a place of sanity and serenity, peace (except for her constant battle with the beavers) and friendship for not just them, but for many of their friends.  It was a sad day when mobility challenges made it unsafe for her to visit, but she took heart that her daughter and friends have continued to enjoy her rustic refuge.

In 1996, the same year Elliot would pass away and Maya would finish high school, the Ontario MNR transferred her to Peterborough.  It was a move Claire resented at first, but one she soon realised was perfect!  Peterborough offered opportunities to get involved and active in new ways, including a decade on the board of directors for the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra.  She always relished her beloved garden, a vibrant social life, enjoyed the city’s many restaurants, theatre and arts events, and activities in the region’s parks and waterways.  Following her retirement, Claire returned to making art, celebrating her 70th birthday with an exhibition of new ceramic works.  She also began experimenting with digital media, especially iPad paintings, exhibiting her works around the region until the Pandemic.  Peterborough was exactly where Claire wanted to be.   

In recent years, Maya’s childhood best friend, Tracy (Paul) Manley, moved with her family to the area and Claire was able to take on the role of “Oma” to Tracy’s three children, Samantha, Cory, and Peter.  Being “Oma” was one of Claire’s great joys and having them close by while Maya lived several hours away would be a great gift.  In August 2021, Claire suffered a devastating fall that completely changed her life.  It resulted in a broken back and concussion, both which caused far more damage than any previous health scare.  No longer able to drive, Claire’s world shrank dramatically, but nonetheless continued to be rich with friends, her cats, and her garden.  She took great pride in Maya’s career and academic achievements, and had hoped to see her daughter achieve her long-enduring doctorate, but, as she said, “Maya took too long.” 

Claire always lived life with verve and gusto, dancing to the beat of her own drum, and inspiring others to hear the music as well.  Her fierce independence, intelligence, wit, and social awareness were characteristics that made her both formidable and fun in all spheres of her life and she tried always to gather her loved ones along for the ride.  For Claire, it was never about quantity, but quality.  Whether it was travel or friends, she always preferred a deep exploration that touched the spirit.  Claire leaves behind a legacy of care, compassion, and generosity that stretches far beyond Peterborough or Canada.  She leaves behind her daughter, Maya Hirschman, her loving Dutch family Martine van den Steenhoven and Jan de Sonneville, as well as their children Astrid, Peter, and “little” Leo.  She also leaves her chosen family Tracy, Paul and the kids, as well as beloved friends Freya, Karen, David, Cathy and Mike, Yvonne, and Patsy, for whose friendship, care, and support she was deeply grateful, especially in her decline.

Per her wishes, a small, private interment ceremony was held on November 26, but a Celebration of Life will be held at Highland Park Funeral Centre in May 2026, when the world is once more in bloom.

Donations in Claire’s memory can be made to the Nature Conservancy of Canada, the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra, or a museum or humane society of your choice.