Mrs. Claudia C. Arrindell

Claudia Constance Arrindell (also known as Violet) was born to Frances Gardiner and Edgar Simmonds on August 14, 1932, in Tabernacle, St. Kitts.
She met and married the love of her life, Ronald Arrindell, in Tabernacle, St. Kitts. From this union five children were born: Dr. Esmond Arrindell (wife Pamela), Ms. Vanita Arrindell, Mr. Evan Arrindell (wife Audrey), Mrs. Valetta Arrindell Phillips (husband Jerry III), and Dr. Everton Arrindell (wife Angela). Claudia was the proud grandmother of ten grandchildren: Mrs. Esmonique Williams, Dr. Lou Arrindell (Adrienne), Mr. Brandon Arrindell (Ebony), Ms. Natori Arrindell, Mr. Evan Arrindell II, Mrs. Courtney Roberts (CJ), Mr. Jerry Phillips IV, Ms. Constance Phillips, Mr. Terrance Phillips, and Ms. Moriah Phillips. Claudia was also the proud great-grandmother of twelve great-grandchildren: Kennedy, Madison, Yale, Dean, Hadley, Graham, Khloe, Kenze, Hudson, Smith, Emory, and Ezekiel.
Claudia made whatever sacrifices were necessary to ensure the proper provision and education of her children. This was her priority. It was this priority that propelled Claudia and her husband Ronald to relocate to St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, in the 1960s. This same priority also led her to place her own education and ambitions on hold until her children had received theirs. Claudia and Ronald’s sacrifices were greatly rewarded by the professional success of all five children in the fields of medicine, engineering, and business.
She had a sense of wit about her even in her later years. We recall one of many incidents that took place on New Year’s Eve 2025. Just a few hours before ringing in the New Year 2026, she requested her favorite candy (Mentos). We broke her nightly protocol and fulfilled her request. A few minutes into the new year, she made the same request. We reminded her that she had just been given some a few hours earlier. Without missing a beat, she retorted, “But that was last year; I haven’t had any for the year.”
Claudia was hardworking, spending tireless hours each day “on her feet,” working as a department store salesclerk for many years. She was a skilled seamstress and, along with our dad (also a skilled tailor), made much of our pre-adult clothing. There was nothing Claudia would not have done for the well-being of her family.
Claudia dedicated time to teaching the art of sewing to her two daughters, Vanita and Valetta. Valetta quickly got the hang of it. Vanita, however, made a beeline for the kitchen, where she mastered the art of cooking. Claudia took pleasure in delighting the taste buds of her family and friends with her delicious black cake, journey cakes (also known as Johnny cakes), and saltfish. Regardless of where they were—at home or abroad—she would provide her children with black cake on their birthdays.
She became quite a foodie in her later years. Chicken wings—chicken wings and more chicken wings, stewed or baked with gravy—were at the very top of her food chain. She never tired of them. She could eat them for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks if allowed to do so. She had the proverbial “green thumb” and spent time admiring the works of her hands—her beautiful rose garden and her vegetable garden.
We called her Mother, and she had a beautiful way of sharing life lessons—simple words that carried a lot of wisdom. She always said, “Do your best, and God will do the rest.” She reminded us that tomorrow is not promised, so we should live our lives fully and with love. And she would always add, “Take care of yourself and each other.” Those words reflect who she was—caring, faithful, and full of heart—and they’ll stay with us forever.
As a strong follower of Christ in word and by example, she, along with Ronald, was diligent in raising their children in the ways of Christ. She was tenacious about her faith in Christ to the end. She loved to sing her favorite hymns, such as “Blessed Assurance.” Just a few days before her passing, while reading aloud one of her daily scripture verses from Ephesians 1:19–20, she exclaimed, “I just love this scripture” which customized states “ Thank you Heavenly Father for the exceeding greatness of your power which is working in me and for me. It is that same power that raised Christ from the dead which is dwelling in me and working for me , bringing into manifestation my full and complete healing and wholeness, in Jesus name Amen.“  She was emphatic about reading aloud her daily Bible devotions, along with her favorite scriptures, every morning—even before brushing her teeth—and every night before going to sleep.
She leaves a legacy of faith in God. She taught us to “shoot for the stars” while putting our entire trust in God. She would often say, “What’s for you is for you. No one can take what God has for you when you put your trust in Him.” We learned that God’s blessings on our lives are not based on our accomplishments but rather on His love, goodness, and grace.
Claudia Arrindell formerly resided in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, where she last worked for the Woolworth department store prior to retiring.
After an illness in Houston, Texas, Claudia went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on March 19, 2026.
Claudia is preceded in death by her husband, Ronald Arrindell; her mother, Frances Gardiner; her father, Edgar Simmonds; and her brother, Peter Martin.
In addition to her five children and their families, Claudia leaves to treasure her memory the extended family of her dearly departed husband, Ronald Arrindell; her brother, Cyril Simmonds; nieces; nephews; cousins (notably the family of her dearly departed aunt, Tryphena James); and many dear friends—notably her church family at Wesley Methodist Church of Annas Retreat, St. Thomas, including but not limited to Jacqueline Webster, Geraldine Leonard, Margaret Reid, Esmeralda Fraser, Bernice Turnbull, Rupert Tuitt, Vernice Hanley, James Dyer, Junior Browne, Bernice Harvey, and Winifred David, to name a few.

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