Claire H. Ozaeta

On May 10th, 1930, Claire Hyacinth Franklin was born to Lillian Dewgard and Charles Franklin both of Belize City, in the beautiful country of Belize (formerly known as British Honduras). Her predeceased siblings are Keith Franklin, Evan, Russell and Jean Cattouse. She has two living siblings: Elbert Franklin (Belize) and Juanita Burke (Atlanta). She was predeceased by both her parents, her wonderful and loving husband Agapito Eleno Ozaeta, her son Bernard Rodney Ozaeta (Gayle) and her daughter Ruth Lloyda Ward-Ozaeta (Melvyn). She is survived by 6 children, Alfonso (Malikah), Harold (Margaret, deceased), Roque (Amada), Clarita (Joseph), John, and David (Sybil). Her legacy also includes: 21 grandchildren (1 deceased), 32 great-grandchildren, and 6 great-great grandchildren.

Claire was always a big thinker with great expectations for herself, her family, and others. This coupled with her faith in Christ became the foundation of an extraordinary life, lived to the fullest. Married to the love of her life, they raised eight children in Belize. She was not a stranger to poverty and struggle and had a vision to improve her health and the quality of life for her family. Stepping out on faith, in 1981, she joined Eleno in Seaside, California changing the life trajectory of her entire family. Once in the United States, she started a business with her husband while working as an LVN (licensed vocational nurse) and worked several other jobs as she continued supporting her family and sharing in her community. She was not one to complain, she prayed and found comfort in God’s word and service. Being Christ focused and business minded she invested her resources well which always included an undying commitment to honor God with her first fruits. Following the legacy of their mother’s faith in Christ, most of her children moved to the US, flourishing and starting their own families.

Holding true to the foundation of her faith, she joined the Seaside Seventh-day Adventist Church and poured her life into service once again. With decades of service in almost every auxiliary and facet including Sabbath School Teacher, Superintendent, Deaconess, Hospitality, Prison Ministry and board leadership, she enjoyed seeing others give their hearts to Christ. She was recognized as the Mother of the Church. Claire’s sincere and impeccable example along with the depth and quality of relationships allowed her to nurture a diverse and wide variety of people, even strangers. Whether cleaning the church, counseling the pastoral staff, sponsoring youth and children’s ministry, or even setting her table to host a delicious homecooked meal with visitors at church, Claire was bold and audacious about Christ’s righteousness and salvation. Epitomizing the virtuous woman of Proverbs 31, Claire’s passion for Christ was steadfast and her quiet and consistent example challenged us all to do better.

She was more than a traditional Christian. She was an ambitious, smart and savvy businesswoman clothed with strength and dignity, watching over the affairs of her household. Her generosity was shown not only to her family members, but all of those who came to know her. She was always careful with how she communicated her intentions and conducted herself with grace and humility. She was a woman chasing after God’s heart.

Because she absolutely loved God and loved people, putting her faith to work in the ordinary practical moments of life, her memory will never be forgotten. Her absence will be felt by the generation of people who were touched by a genuine life well lived.