Claire Joan Coleman Schweiker of McLean, Virginia, went to be with the Lord on April 28, 2013. Born on January 26, 1932, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, she was the daughter of the late John C. and Claire Binder Coleman, and the loving and devoted wife of Richard S. Schweiker, former U.S. Representative, U.S. Senator and Secretary of Health and Human Services in the Reagan Administration.
She was valedictorian of Springfield Township High School in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. In 1953, she graduated from Temple University, having majored in radio and television broadcasting. While at Temple, she was a member of Theta Sigma Upsilon (Alpha Gamma Delta) sorority. Claire was selected both Temple May Queen and Homecoming Queen. She also was chosen as the "Sweetest Coed" of the Philadelphia colleges. She received numerous awards from Temple, including being inducted into the School of Communications and Theatre Hall of Fame and honored as the first recipient of the Alumni in the Media Award.
In 1954, Claire realized her childhood dream of hosting a show for children by becoming "Miss Claire" on "The Romper Room," a daily, hour-long, live television program for pre-school children at Philadelphia TV station, WFIL. Her show was immensely popular, so the Philadelphia Inquirer ran an article about her in its Sunday magazine section. The article caught the eye of Blanche Schweiker, who gave it to her son Richard saying, "This is the kind of girl you should marry." Richard knew the article's writer and contacted him to set up a blind date. Six weeks after the date, knowing they had found the love of their lives, the two were engaged and enjoyed 57 years of marriage.
Claire was very active in her church and community. Claire and Richard deeply believed that they were put on earth to be of service to God and their fellow man. Her strong faith guided all aspects of her life. Her children and grandchildren fondly referred to her as their prayer warrior. As a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Washington, DC, she served as the first woman president of the Church Council. Claire taught Sunday School and participated in and led various Bible studies and prayer groups with active involvement in Congressional Wives Fellowship, Senate Wives Outreach, and Cabinet Wives Fellowship.
Claire was a gifted and popular speaker, working with Washington, Inc., Potomac Speakers, and National Speakers' Forum. She often spoke about life in public service and her faith. Claire was on the board of The Medical College of Pennsylvania for over 30 years. She also chaired dozens of charities' events and was honored by many for her outstanding service. She enjoyed her memberships in the Congressional Club and International Club as well as Ladies of the Senate Red Cross. Claire was an avid and lengthy letter writer and also treasured spending time with family at the shore in Ocean City, NJ. Her true passion was her family.
In addition to her husband Richard, she was survived by her five children, Malcolm (Kathleen) of Oak Hill, VA, Lani (Bill Shelton) of Herndon, VA, Kyle (Jim Hard) of Fairfax, VA, Rich (Mary Michael) of Richmond, VA and Kristi (Tom Carey) of Napa, CA. She also was survived by 23 grandchildren, Bennett, Ryan (Sarah), Patrick, Kevin, Collin, Sean and Garrett Schweiker, Jessica, John, Ellie and Sarah Shelton, Kelly, Chad, Savannah, and Christian Hard, Richard, Claire and Michael Schweiker, Rachel, Brett, Jack, Samantha and Troy Carey. In addition, she was survived by her sister, Sandra Haasis of Plymouth Meeting, PA.
The funeral service was held at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Washington, DC on Friday, May 24, 2013. A service and interment was held at Central Schwenkfelder Church and the Garden of Memories in Worcester, PA on Saturday, May 25, 2013.
She was valedictorian of Springfield Township High School in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. In 1953, she graduated from Temple University, having majored in radio and television broadcasting. While at Temple, she was a member of Theta Sigma Upsilon (Alpha Gamma Delta) sorority. Claire was selected both Temple May Queen and Homecoming Queen. She also was chosen as the "Sweetest Coed" of the Philadelphia colleges. She received numerous awards from Temple, including being inducted into the School of Communications and Theatre Hall of Fame and honored as the first recipient of the Alumni in the Media Award.
In 1954, Claire realized her childhood dream of hosting a show for children by becoming "Miss Claire" on "The Romper Room," a daily, hour-long, live television program for pre-school children at Philadelphia TV station, WFIL. Her show was immensely popular, so the Philadelphia Inquirer ran an article about her in its Sunday magazine section. The article caught the eye of Blanche Schweiker, who gave it to her son Richard saying, "This is the kind of girl you should marry." Richard knew the article's writer and contacted him to set up a blind date. Six weeks after the date, knowing they had found the love of their lives, the two were engaged and enjoyed 57 years of marriage.
Claire was very active in her church and community. Claire and Richard deeply believed that they were put on earth to be of service to God and their fellow man. Her strong faith guided all aspects of her life. Her children and grandchildren fondly referred to her as their prayer warrior. As a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Washington, DC, she served as the first woman president of the Church Council. Claire taught Sunday School and participated in and led various Bible studies and prayer groups with active involvement in Congressional Wives Fellowship, Senate Wives Outreach, and Cabinet Wives Fellowship.
Claire was a gifted and popular speaker, working with Washington, Inc., Potomac Speakers, and National Speakers' Forum. She often spoke about life in public service and her faith. Claire was on the board of The Medical College of Pennsylvania for over 30 years. She also chaired dozens of charities' events and was honored by many for her outstanding service. She enjoyed her memberships in the Congressional Club and International Club as well as Ladies of the Senate Red Cross. Claire was an avid and lengthy letter writer and also treasured spending time with family at the shore in Ocean City, NJ. Her true passion was her family.
In addition to her husband Richard, she was survived by her five children, Malcolm (Kathleen) of Oak Hill, VA, Lani (Bill Shelton) of Herndon, VA, Kyle (Jim Hard) of Fairfax, VA, Rich (Mary Michael) of Richmond, VA and Kristi (Tom Carey) of Napa, CA. She also was survived by 23 grandchildren, Bennett, Ryan (Sarah), Patrick, Kevin, Collin, Sean and Garrett Schweiker, Jessica, John, Ellie and Sarah Shelton, Kelly, Chad, Savannah, and Christian Hard, Richard, Claire and Michael Schweiker, Rachel, Brett, Jack, Samantha and Troy Carey. In addition, she was survived by her sister, Sandra Haasis of Plymouth Meeting, PA.
The funeral service was held at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Washington, DC on Friday, May 24, 2013. A service and interment was held at Central Schwenkfelder Church and the Garden of Memories in Worcester, PA on Saturday, May 25, 2013.
Claire Joan Coleman Schweiker of McLean, Virginia, went to be with the Lord on April 28, 2013. Born on January 26, 1932, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, she was the daughter of the late John C. and Claire Binder Coleman, and the loving and devoted wife of Richard S. Schweiker, former U.S. Representative, U.S. Senator and Secretary of Health and Human Services in the Reagan Administration.
She was valedictorian of Springfield Township High School in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. In 1953, she graduated from Temple University, having majored in radio and television broadcasting. While at Temple, she was a member of Theta Sigma Upsilon (Alpha Gamma Delta) sorority. Claire was selected both Temple May Queen and Homecoming Queen. She also was chosen as the "Sweetest Coed" of the Philadelphia colleges. She received numerous awards from Temple, including being inducted into the School of Communications and Theatre Hall of Fame and honored as the first recipient of the Alumni in the Media Award.
In 1954, Claire realized her childhood dream of hosting a show for children by becoming "Miss Claire" on "The Romper Room," a daily, hour-long, live television program for pre-school children at Philadelphia TV station, WFIL. Her show was immensely popular, so the Philadelphia Inquirer ran an article about her in its Sunday magazine section. The article caught the eye of Blanche Schweiker, who gave it to her son Richard saying, "This is the kind of girl you should marry." Richard knew the article's writer and contacted him to set up a blind date. Six weeks after the date, knowing they had found the love of their lives, the two were engaged and enjoyed 57 years of marriage.
Claire was very active in her church and community. Claire and Richard deeply believed that they were put on earth to be of service to God and their fellow man. Her strong faith guided all aspects of her life. Her children and grandchildren fondly referred to her as their prayer warrior. As a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Washington, DC, she served as the first woman president of the Church Council. Claire taught Sunday School and participated in and led various Bible studies and prayer groups with active involvement in Congressional Wives Fellowship, Senate Wives Outreach, and Cabinet Wives Fellowship.
Claire was a gifted and popular speaker, working with Washington, Inc., Potomac Speakers, and National Speakers' Forum. She often spoke about life in public service and her faith. Claire was on the board of The Medical College of Pennsylvania for over 30 years. She also chaired dozens of charities' events and was honored by many for her outstanding service. She enjoyed her memberships in the Congressional Club and International Club as well as Ladies of the Senate Red Cross. Claire was an avid and lengthy letter writer and also treasured spending time with family at the shore in Ocean City, NJ. Her true passion was her family.
In addition to her husband Richard, she was survived by her five children, Malcolm (Kathleen) of Oak Hill, VA, Lani (Bill Shelton) of Herndon, VA, Kyle (Jim Hard) of Fairfax, VA, Rich (Mary Michael) of Richmond, VA and Kristi (Tom Carey) of Napa, CA. She also was survived by 23 grandchildren, Bennett, Ryan (Sarah), Patrick, Kevin, Collin, Sean and Garrett Schweiker, Jessica, John, Ellie and Sarah Shelton, Kelly, Chad, Savannah, and Christian Hard, Richard, Claire and Michael Schweiker, Rachel, Brett, Jack, Samantha and Troy Carey. In addition, she was survived by her sister, Sandra Haasis of Plymouth Meeting, PA.
The funeral service was held at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Washington, DC on Friday, May 24, 2013. A service and interment was held at Central Schwenkfelder Church and the Garden of Memories in Worcester, PA on Saturday, May 25, 2013.
She was valedictorian of Springfield Township High School in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. In 1953, she graduated from Temple University, having majored in radio and television broadcasting. While at Temple, she was a member of Theta Sigma Upsilon (Alpha Gamma Delta) sorority. Claire was selected both Temple May Queen and Homecoming Queen. She also was chosen as the "Sweetest Coed" of the Philadelphia colleges. She received numerous awards from Temple, including being inducted into the School of Communications and Theatre Hall of Fame and honored as the first recipient of the Alumni in the Media Award.
In 1954, Claire realized her childhood dream of hosting a show for children by becoming "Miss Claire" on "The Romper Room," a daily, hour-long, live television program for pre-school children at Philadelphia TV station, WFIL. Her show was immensely popular, so the Philadelphia Inquirer ran an article about her in its Sunday magazine section. The article caught the eye of Blanche Schweiker, who gave it to her son Richard saying, "This is the kind of girl you should marry." Richard knew the article's writer and contacted him to set up a blind date. Six weeks after the date, knowing they had found the love of their lives, the two were engaged and enjoyed 57 years of marriage.
Claire was very active in her church and community. Claire and Richard deeply believed that they were put on earth to be of service to God and their fellow man. Her strong faith guided all aspects of her life. Her children and grandchildren fondly referred to her as their prayer warrior. As a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Washington, DC, she served as the first woman president of the Church Council. Claire taught Sunday School and participated in and led various Bible studies and prayer groups with active involvement in Congressional Wives Fellowship, Senate Wives Outreach, and Cabinet Wives Fellowship.
Claire was a gifted and popular speaker, working with Washington, Inc., Potomac Speakers, and National Speakers' Forum. She often spoke about life in public service and her faith. Claire was on the board of The Medical College of Pennsylvania for over 30 years. She also chaired dozens of charities' events and was honored by many for her outstanding service. She enjoyed her memberships in the Congressional Club and International Club as well as Ladies of the Senate Red Cross. Claire was an avid and lengthy letter writer and also treasured spending time with family at the shore in Ocean City, NJ. Her true passion was her family.
In addition to her husband Richard, she was survived by her five children, Malcolm (Kathleen) of Oak Hill, VA, Lani (Bill Shelton) of Herndon, VA, Kyle (Jim Hard) of Fairfax, VA, Rich (Mary Michael) of Richmond, VA and Kristi (Tom Carey) of Napa, CA. She also was survived by 23 grandchildren, Bennett, Ryan (Sarah), Patrick, Kevin, Collin, Sean and Garrett Schweiker, Jessica, John, Ellie and Sarah Shelton, Kelly, Chad, Savannah, and Christian Hard, Richard, Claire and Michael Schweiker, Rachel, Brett, Jack, Samantha and Troy Carey. In addition, she was survived by her sister, Sandra Haasis of Plymouth Meeting, PA.
The funeral service was held at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Washington, DC on Friday, May 24, 2013. A service and interment was held at Central Schwenkfelder Church and the Garden of Memories in Worcester, PA on Saturday, May 25, 2013.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
