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Obituary for Claire Conner
Claire Conner passed away peacefully at her home on Tuesday, February 9, 2021, at the age of 85 after a short bout with pneumonia.
Claire was born on May 18, 1935, in Oakland, CA to parents Carl and Lorraine Stephens. She spent her early years in Palo Alto, CA where she met her beloved husband, Mike, in the 9th grade. Both Claire and Mike attended Palo Alto High School and Claire went on to graduate from Mills College with a degree in Chemistry. Claire and Mike were married in 1957 and were together for 62 years until Mike’s passing in 2019. They moved to Vacaville in 1959 where they raised their three children.
Claire was involved in many activities and local volunteer groups. The one that brought her the most satisfaction was the math tutoring business she started in her home, which she pursued for more than 45 years, helping hundreds of students succeed with math. Claire was always pleased to hear from former students how her tutoring benefited them in their further studies and careers. She was recognized as a warm and caring person who brought out the best in her students.
During Claire’s years in Vacaville, she was also a founding member of the Vacaville Museum and volunteered many hours with the Saturday Club, St. Margaret’s Guild at the Church of Epiphany, the Vacaville Library Commission, the Art League and Girl Scouts. She was an ardent supporter of Mike’s political aspirations and spent many hours walking door to door and attending fundraisers to support his runs for political office. She was often seen playing bridge with friends or walking in the park.
Claire is remembered by family for her positive attitude. She was loved and adored by her immediate and extended family. Her adventurous spirit never went unnoticed, and she made lifelong friends wherever she went, be it around town, around the country or even around the globe. Claire and Mike traveled the world together and also enjoyed quiet weeks at their Sierra Foothill cabin. She loved holidays and birthdays and never missed the opportunity to enjoy them with a card, call, decorations or celebration. Many will miss her Christmas cookies that she baked and shared annually.
Claire and Mike always made time for family. They created wonderful memories for their children and grandchildren with unforgettable bi-annual family trips to the Caribbean, Mexico and Lake Tahoe. They were very proud of their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and were enthusiastic supporters of them, attending hundreds of their sporting and performing arts events. Claire always let them know she loved them and was confident they’d be successful in whatever path they choose.
Claire is preceded in death by her beloved husband Mike and is survived by her children Kelly Spaeth (Paul), Brian (Susan) and Kevin (Caroline) Conner, grandchildren Abigail Neff (Robert), Scott (Hayman Chan), Jacob and Emma Spaeth, Kaitlyn Turner (Eric), Colby and Shelby Conner, and Kristi and Kathryn Conner, as well as her great-grandchildren Lucy and Callie Claire Neff. A whole host of surviving nieces, nephews, cousins and her brother Roger Stephens (Diane) also mourn her passing.
Please email the family at bconner@rivervalleyins.com if you’d like to be notified when the family holds a celebration of life service for Claire later in the year.
Claire’s family would be honored to have donations in her memory sent to the Vacaville Museum https://vacavillemuseum.org/donate/ or the Church of Epiphany, Vacaville www.epiphanychurchvacaville.org/donate.
