Visitation: Sunday (12/12) 2 PM - 6 PM
Departing: Monday (12/13) 10 AM
Cemetery: Ocean View Cemetery (Staten Island, NY)

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Claudia Lynn Mykland passed away on December 1, 2021 at the Luxor Mills Pond Nursing Home in St. James, NY. She was 77 years old.

Claudia is preceded in death by her parents Carl and Thelma Dincesen, her brother Carl Dincesen and husband Christopher Mykland. She is survived by her daughter Elizabeth and husband Brian Ungaro, her son Philip and wife Bridget, her sister Anita Dincesen and husband Robert Born, her nephews  Garrett Born and wife Joan and grand- nephew Milo and Samuel Born and wife Michelle and grand-nephew Tallak, her sister-in-law Shelley Stein; her nieces Julie Dincesen and fiancé Kyle McCormack and Jenna Dincesen and husband Alex Hopfenmuller .

Claudia was born in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn and spent her early years at her parent's home on 84 ^th St. and her grandparent's home at 229 86 ^th St. Claudia was the first grandchild of a large, loving Norwegian family and had many cousins, in addition to her brother and sister. Because she was the oldest, she was the favorite of her grandparents, Mor and Pop, and would stay in their lives for their lifetime. Her parents, Carl & Thelma, moved to Syosset, NY where she graduated from Syosset High School. Claudia attended Long Island University in the nursing program and at age 18, she and Christopher eloped, while he served in the Army, stationed in Fort Leonardwood, Missouri. They moved back to Brooklyn and lived for a short time at 229 86 ^th St. where Philip was born, followed by Elizabeth a short time after. Later, they moved to Lindenhurst, NY. In their close-knit neighborhood, The Mykland household was always filled with kids in their above ground pool. Claudia persevered and finished nursing school, while raising 2 small children, and took a full-time nursing job at Good Samaritan Hospital, Bay Shore. Claudia had a big heart and no feat was too large for her, especially when it came to caring for others. While Philip and Elizabeth where young, she took in 2 foster children, Mathew and Martha, and raised them for several years until they were adopted.

Claudia loved her extended family and liked to have fun. When Christopher completed his Army tour of duty, he took a job at Pan American Airways, where his father-in-law, Carl, was a Manager of Tool and Die Division of PAA. Claudia and Christopher took full advantage of free family flying privileges as a Pan Am employee, traveling to Brazil, Columbia, and the Caribbean, often bringing her brother Carl and sister Anita on these adventures.

In 1977 tragedy struck the family as her father, Carl, died of a heart attack and in 1978, Christopher died in an auto accident. Claudia continued to carry on, caring both for her mother, Thelma, and Philip & Elizabeth, moving to a new home in Smithtown, NY. She took a job for the Long Island Blood Bank, travelling across the Island, managing blood drives, and meeting lots of people. In the 1990's she took a chance with a new job and new city and moved to Houston, Texas, where she continued to work for the Red Cross. She returned to Long Island in the late '90's and moved into a sweet little house in Wading River, NY. with private beach access!

Claudia was a beautiful person inside and out. She cared for her mother, Thelma, until her passing in 2006 and opened her Wading River home to her family for wonderful summer vacations and cozy winter holidays. She continued to work as the nursing supervisor at Oak Hollow Nursing Home.

Claudia was always a professional and managed to care for others but, as is often the case with nursing professionals, didn't take very good care of herself. After Thelma passed away, she began to decline in her health and well- being. She made a few attempts to move but eventually became a full time resident at Luxor Nursing Home, St. James where she lived her last 3 years.

One of the last things Claudia said was "I'm the luckiest person in the world". Actually, we are the luckiest people in the world to have known her.

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Thank You,
Clavin Funeral Home