Entered Life: September 2, 1946
Entered Religious Life: September 14, 1965
Entered Eternal Life: December 22, 2025
“Sing a New Song Unto the Lord.”
Celebration of Life Service was on Friday, January 9, 2026 at St. John of the Cross Church, Western Springs, IL. To view the previously recorded livestream of the mass click here.
Sister Claire, a daughter of Mary Ward (founder of The Congregation of Jesus), died at age 79 on Monday, December 22, 2025 at St. Patrick’s Nursing Home in Naperville after 60 years in religious life.
Sr. Claire entered the Loretto Sisters, earned undergraduate and graduate degrees (Rosary College and Clarke College) and taught school for over thirty years. She served at St. John of the Cross, (Western Springs), Catherine of Alexandria (Oak Lawn) and The Cathedral of St. Raymond School (Joliet). Her later years were dedicated to Vocation Ministry and Provincial Secretary in Wheaton, Illinois.
Sr. Claire was preceded in death by her parents, Oliver and Lydia. She is survived by cousins Darlene Ashton (William), Hansena Scheel, Nadine Seubert, Leona Hawkes (Warren) and Jean Norton.
Sr. Claire’s many ministries were woven with her music. Learning guitar allowed her to sing with her students, lift hearts in song at liturgies, select inspirational music for special occasions, and connect with so many with joyful praise. “Sing a new song” has been her motto. Her original song “Still and Quiet” ends with, “I sing a new song. To you I belong. My heart is yours. Your faithful love endures, O Lord.” She is singing it now.
Memorials may also be mailed to the Loretto Development Office, Box 508, Wheaton, IL 60187.