Claire Marie Mahoney Schopen

Our beloved Mother, Claire Marie Mahoney Schopen of Mukilteo,Washington, passed peacefully at her home on Monday, May 22, 2017 of heart failure. She was 85. Claire was born on June 12, 1931 in Charlestown, Massachusetts. Her father was John Patrick Mahoney of Kinsale, Ireland, and her mother was Loretto Dorothea Kean of Charlestown, MA. Claire's father proudly served a full term as a Massachussettes state representative. Her mother Loretto passed when Claire was eight years old.

She attended St. Mary's elementary school in Charlestown, MA and St. Columbkille high school in Brighton, MA. She married Gerhard Schopen on June 6, 1952 in Brighton, MA. While raising her children, Claire lived in California, Kansas, Washington, D.C., Texas, and Colorado before settling down in Washington. She attended Loretto College in Denver, CO.

She is survived by her sister Dorothea Mahoney Baillargeon, and her nine children: David Schopen (Melissa) of Lyons, CO; Susan Harris of Snohomish,WA; Christopher Schopen (Mary) of Anchorage, AK; Robert Schopen (Kim) of Spokane, WA; Elizabeth Schopen of Mukilteo, WA; Eric Schopen of Seattle, WA; Maria Schopen (Fred) of Colorado Springs, CO; Shelagh Schopen of Mukilteo, WA; and Peter Schopen (Susan) of Littleton, CO. She is also survived by thirteen grandchildren (Brian, Steven, Jonna, Jazmine, Cheston, Colin, Tanner, Mattison, Christopher, Molly, Nicholas, Claire, and Lauren); six great-grandchildren (Jaymin, Ronan, Declan, James, Joshua and Lane); and three pets (Patrick, Morris and Athena). She was predeceased by her parents and four brothers Jack, David, Thomas, and Frank.

Claire was an avid reader, traveler, loved singing, being around the water, and was a huge fan of the Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy, public radio and public television. One of her favorite shops was Blackstone's on Beacon Hill in Boston. Our mother's greatest joy was being with her family, and she will be dearly missed. Her favorite way to say goodbye was "I love you more!"

Memorial service will be held at Evergreen Washelli in Seattle, WA on Tuesday May 30, 2017 at 1:00pm. Visitation will be held the same day from noon until 8:00pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to your favorite local public radio or television station in remembrance of Claire.

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