Tributes have flooded in following the tragic death of a ‘hilarious’ Stockport ‘icon’ and ‘local celebrity’ famed for her karaoke antics.
Claire Diffley, who had learning disabilities, passed away on January 13 after being admitted to Stepping Hill Hospital. She died after contracting pneumonia, and developing asthma obesity and a pulmonary embolism, her cousin said.
The 50-year-old was well known throughout Stockport for ‘making everyone smile’ and as the ‘life and soul of the 192 bus’, with videos shared online of her rapping and singing about her disability, including at the popular Chestergate pub and on Youtube.
Her cousin Ivan, one of her last living relatives, told the M.E.N. that Claire, who had suffered a lack of oxygen at birth and developed a learning disability, ‘never let it get her down’ and was ‘always laughing and joking’.
Claire Diffley has died aged 50 -Credit:Facebook
“She was sharp as a tap was our Claire,” he said. “She was very astute and always knew how to look after herself. Her disability was never excuse; she never said ‘woe me’ or complained. She just got on with it and cracked on with life. She never let it get her down.
“As she got older, she was everywhere on the buses and trains and would talk to anyone – a joke or 62 usually. She was so funny and chatty, always laughing and joking.”
Brought up in Reddish, Claire lived with her parents and brother until they passed away. She then moved into assisted living and was visited by a carer.
Following her death, hundreds of tributes have flooded social media, remembering her as a ‘beautiful soul’ and ‘one of a kind’.
Ivan added: “I am in awe by the response honestly. I am sat here reading all this online. I knew how many people knew of her and loved her, but this has been amazing.
“She’d go everywhere on her own. She was so independent. I’m even reading stuff about her going into offices and chatting to random people. Everyone knew her.
“I think she knew that she was a more vulnerable woman, so viewed that as some protection. Everyone would know who she was and would look out for her. A circle of friendly faces.
“I am amazed by the responses. She was such a cracker and so engaging. There were moments you’d think, ‘ah Claire… bloody hell’, but that’s just who she was, singing, rapping, going round on buses and doing her dog impression. She even used to go into Piccadilly Station and play the piano and sing to people.”
In a tribute online, sharing a video of her rapping her own song about her ‘mild learning disability’, which also garnered over 20,000 views on Youtube, Stockport Tourism posted: “It’s with great sadness that Claire Diffley gained her angel wings this morning. What a beautiful soul will be greatly missed by most of Stockport, such a character. A real Stockport icon.”
Claire ‘made everyone laugh’ -Credit:Chestergate Pub
Another post read: “You was always making everyone cheer up with your sense of humour. R.I.P” as another person commented: “Heartbroken. You will be truly missed. You made such a difference to a so called normal boring kinda day. Such a very special lady and forever will be in my thoughts. You will be missed more than you realise.”
“Aww Claire, the life and soul of the 192.. Certainly makes a boring bus ride so much more fun!” another posted.
Claire was taken into Stepping Hill Hospital after contracting pneumonia shortly before Christmas. Her symptoms developed, which worsened her asthma. She also had blood clots on her lungs and died surrounded by her loved ones from a pulmonary embolism on January 13.
Her cousin Ivan added: “I was holding her hand and was with her. She’s now back with all the people that she missed. I just wish she knew all the people she’d brought a smile to.”