Clare Katherine Zeitlin

Born in Lancaster, California in 1959, Clare Katherine Zeitlin was the fourth child of Dr. Herbert Zakary Zeitlin and his wife Eugenia Pawlik Zeitlin. As a young child in Lancaster, Clare learned how to navigate her life with the help of her sister Ann Victoria who was a year older than her. They were very close and played together regularly.

A few years later as a small child in Chula Vista, California, Clare blossomed as an active member of the family. Weekly visits by a volunteer specializing in working with the disabled children, contributed to her growth and made her life exciting. Family trips to the beach brought her joy and introduced her to the warm California sun and sand at her feet.

In Elmwood Park, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, Clare’s world broadened significantly. She went to a special school and learned to read. Visits to bookstores and libraries, whether in Illinois, Palo Alto at Stanford, or Woodland Hills, California, were special treats guided by her mother. Much like her mother, reading was a skill that carried her throughout her lifetime. Additionally, she made her First Communion and Confirmation during her life in Illinois.

Returning to California in 1977, Clare, like other teenagers, had an eye towards independence. Simultaneously, Zakary and Eugenia became involved with two extraordinary organizations for the disabled: Tierra del Sol and Valley Village. With their support, Clare took the huge step of living independently from her parents in a Valley Village group home with five other girls while pursuing her personal interests in the fine and performing arts at Tierra.

Clare excelled in the arts and received many awards from numerous organizations. She was twice voted by her peers as the recipient of a “Golden Sun Award” for best actress and best supporting actress. In 2006, Clare received the Eagle Award from Hillcrest Christian School for exceeding high standards in reverence, respect, and responsibility. Also, in 2006, the Tierra del Sol Foundation honored Clare with the Kirk Kilgore, Changing Challenges to Opportunities Award. In 2012, Clare received the Voices Award by the Down Syndrome Association of Los Angeles.

In addition to her love of the arts, Clare enjoyed working and appreciated the value of a paycheck. She worked in Bud’s Place Café and in her school office at Tierra del Sol in Sunland, California. She became an art assistant for an instructor at Hillcrest Christian School in Granada Hills, California.

As Clare aged, she struggled with health issues but never lost her spirit, sense of humor, or love for life.

Clare Katherine Zeitlin leaves behind her mother Eugenia Zeitlin, her father the late Herbert Zakary Zeitlin, her brother Mark Zeitlin (Jill), sisters Joyce Harris (Henry), and the late Ann Victoria Zeitlin, nephew Adam Zeitlin (Maureen), nieces Janine Zeitlin (Marc), Valeria Harris McCarroll (Casey) and Clare Harris, and great-nieces, Violette Damon, Adeline Damon, and Orielle McCarroll.

The Zeitlin Family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to all those who provided love and care to Clare.