Claire Trudeau-Muniz (née Pate), of Davidsonville, MD died peacefully, at Hospice of the Chesapeake on June 13, 2016 of complications from chronic leukemia. She leaves behind her husband, Commissioner Robert Muniz (ret.); sons: Mr. John Trudeau (wife, Sherri) of GA.; Mr. Mark Trudeau of MD; and The Hon.Timothy Trudeau (wife, Patricia) of MD; grandchildren: Claire and Chloe; her "sister" Mary DeShong (Boyd) of MD; her dearest friend and cousin, Joy Farrow (James) of GA.; cousin Denny Cox (Carol) of VA; and many other beloved family and extended family members. Claire was born in Cordele, GA to Mr. And Mrs. JD Pate on Feb. 21, "Nineteen hundred and none of your business". She was married to the late Col. Thomas Leavenworth Trudeau (div.1978) in the1950s and traveled the world in service to the U.S. At the height of the Cold War era, Claire accompanied her husband on assignment into Soviet controlled East Berlin and received a Civilian Commendation Medal for her efforts. Upon her arrival in the early 1970s, Claire was welcomed into the epicenter of what she called one of the most exciting times of Washington society. As a newly single mother, Claire established her own career in the field of optics. Although she refused to be identified as a "feminist", Claire was an avid supporter of women's rights. She used her clout among news makers of the day to improve conditions under which other women were working at the time. She was a vocal advocate for the amendment of divorce laws, effecting fairer settlements for women. "As a new 'head of household' a woman should have the means to give her as much authority as she has responsibility." In later years, Claire married NY Housing Commissioner Robert Muniz. She moved to NY to oversee construction on their apartment and settled back into the role she liked best as a homemaker. She still found time for her women's clubs and in their true partnership, Claire was her husband's most trusted advisor. She returned to Maryland with her husband, subsequent to his retirement In 2006. She spent her remaining years surrounded by loved ones and was devoted to her granddaughters. Claire was the strong, but tender matriarch of a family that adored her. She found her happiness in the joy of others. She was gracious,elegant, generous and kind. She revered the values of her southern heritage, which were ever-present in her abiding faith in God, her gentility and her grace. Of the many things that have been said of Claire, the one that mattered to her most is that she was loved. Donations in Claire's honor may be made to Hospice of the Chesapeake, Pasadena, MD.
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