Claire Constance Troester

Born March 16, 1937 in Phil PA passed peacefully from this lifetime on January 16, 2018 at Mission Memorial Campus, leaving behind a legacy to her family & all who knew her.  Claire resided in PA, FL and NC; her decedents immigrated to America from Hungary in the early 1900’s. 

She leaves behind her longtime partner Karen Tesny, former husband George P Troester of Ft Myers FL, & their adoring daughters.  She is survived by Linda Murray & Lee Anne Rogers of SW FL, Lisa Rhodes of Phil PA, grandchildren & great grandchildren throughout PA, SW FL & GA.   Her surviving relative is Sigrid Odle of SW FL.

Claire holds her grandson “little David” in the eternal resting place, along with daughters Lorraine & Laura Troester respectively; grandson Patrick Rogers of Phil PA; daughter Thelma “Dollie” Milan from a former relationship.  She is also predeceased by her mother Claire (Abahazy) Broomhead, her “daddy” Daniel DeBlasio of New Jersey & their unborn son “Baby Boy DeBlasio,” &” Aunt Connie” Cornelia Abner (Abahazy) of Cape Coral FL.

Claire graduated from Nursing School and worked at Jeanes Hospital & Einstein Medical Center, PA; Director of Nursing @ Ft Myers A.C.L.F.; Hope Hospice of SW FL; Hospice of Yancey Co NC; Carepartners in Western NC, & Seniors Helping Seniors.  She adored her work as a nurse and was highly regarded by her peers in that “caring” was innate of her nature.

Claire was a devoted mother, who cherished and shared many memories & aromas of family gatherings.  She had unconditional love for children, creatures, the planet, women’s rights, justice, peace & equality.  

With unwavering determination, she marched in DC at the MLK rally, 1963. She was persistent in supporting the work of Environmentalist & Peace Activist Ellen Peterson, American Activist (12/05/1923 – 10/14/2011), to preserve FL waterways and the environment.  

Claire actively participated in Hope Hospice’s outreach program, “Rainbow Trails Camp” for children who have experienced the loss of a loved one.  She opened her home to an exchange student from France for several months out of the year; and, at Christmas Claire took in children from the local orphanage in PA, loving them as much as her own daughters, giving them a place to call home even if for a short while.

Claire lived most of her life in Philly; and then, moved to Cape Coral FL for several years.  There, she treasured her friends, pontoon boating, swimming, and competitive tennis.  She actively participated in the UU Church of Fort Myers organizing many women’s circles and events.  She devoted her time helping women of domestic abuse & violence in Lee County FL.

Her adventurous spirit for travel, took her to Tahiti, Rome & Mexico among other places, living & testing life to the fullest.   She enjoyed traveling to America’s sacred places, vortexes in AZ, and women’s spirituality conferences where she met with Hungarian born activist Z Budapest.

Moving to Asheville in 2002, Claire was active at the UU Church of Asheville where she belonged to Interweave, taught OWL, & “Rise Up.”  She volunteered as a Guardian Ad Litem for the Buncombe County Courthouse; as well as, Helpmate & the Preschool Outreach Project.
Claire was passionate about music & drumming circles. 

Her mother was a first chair violinist for the Philadelphia Orchestra & Edwin Fleisher Symphony, her grandmother a harpist & grandfather a violinist. Claire sang for both Womensong & the Sahara Peace Choir.  The “Village” of these caring women provided friendship, love, support & song for Claire during her last days with us, for which the family is eternally grateful. 

In her free time, Claire loved to read, cook Hungarian dishes, knit & sew, paint, take nature walks, play board games with friends & walk her Italian Greyhound rescue Nina.  She enjoyed driving her golden yellow VW Beetle, adorned with flowers on the rooftop; never failing to be an activist, she displayed numerous bumper stickers for all to see.

Claire, also affectionately known as Connie & Bo, displayed her love in action; which garnered respect & admiration from everyone she met in this lifetime.  Her sunny countenance & zeal for life will be fondly remembered & gravely missed by all.  

A memorial service to celebrate her lifetime & achievements will be held Saturday, March 24, 2018 at 4:00 pm at UU Church Asheville, 1 Edwin Place Asheville NC  28801.

Memorial contributions may be made to:  The New Start Program:  http://www.womansong.org/support-the-new-start-program.html.  See Also: http://www.womansong.org/about-new-start.html

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