Claire Withers

Claire Withers - Claire Mowry Withers passed away at Spring Lake Village in Santa Rosa, California on March 1, 2011 at age 86. She was preceded in death by her parents Elizabeth Corkery Mowry and Charles Anderson Mowry. A third generation San Franciscan, Claire was born in that city and resided there for over 75 years until moving to Sonoma County in 1999. She was very proud of her Irish heritage and that she was a native San Franciscan. She attended St. Cecilia"s Grammar School, St. Rose Academy, and San Francisco College for Women, all in San Francisco. In 1945 she married Stanley L. Withers, another native San Franciscan, and together they made their home in the city that they loved. Claire was a devoted mother to her four daughters and was she was very involved in many activities with her daughters, their friends, and classmates. She participated in the St. Cecilia"s Mothers" Club, St. Rose Alumnae, Girl Scouts, Meals on Wheels and many other volunteer activities. She and Stanley shared a love of dancing and travel, a commitment to education, and most importantly, their Catholic faith. Claire was extraordinarily kind and caring; she was a role model for her four daughters in caring for children, the sick, and the elderly. After living in San Francisco, Claire and Stanley relocated to Sonoma County in 1999 to be closer to their family. They resided in Oakmont for several years; after Stanley"s death in 2001, Claire moved to Spring Lake Village in Santa Rosa, where she made many new friends and enjoyed living in that community. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael;1520 Grand Avenue, San Rafael, CA 94901; Sutter V.N.A. and Hospice, 1110 Dutton Avenue, Santa Rosa, 95401; Religious of the Sacred Heart at Oakwood, 140 Valparaiso Avenue, Atherton, 94027; or to the Valley of the Moon Children"s Foundation, 112 Children"s Circle, Santa Rosa, CA 95409.