March 4, 1931 – November 29, 2022
Claire Francine (Lawson) Palmer was deeply loved and she loved others deeply. Four children survive her – Pamela (Mark) Wallace, Cheryl (Bradley) Perine, Sandra Palmer, and Daniel (Johanna) Palmer; eight grandchildren – Sara Claire Wallace, Lindsay (Gabriel) Michael, Krista (Paul) Gies, Jason Perine, Devan Perine, Rachel Claire Perine, Kamron Palmer, Lukas Palmer, Kira Palmer; and three great-grandchildren – Kayla Reithlingshoefer, Pascal Michael, and Ireland Gies.
Claire is predeceased by her parents, Charles LeRoy Lawson and Clara Anna (Case) Lawson; her sister Darlene L. Degenhardt, brothers Richard “Dickie” Lawson and Charles Edward Lawson; her infant son, Paul Palmer; and the father of her children, Richard Dean Palmer.
Throughout her 91 years, Claire demonstrated her love for God, her family, and her neighbor. Family and her ancestral history were especially important to her. She came from a family largely of farmers and builders. Claire helped compile a family history, complete with pictures dating back several generations. If you ever came to visit Claire, she most likely invited you to join her on a pictorial tour of her family’s history during your time together!
Claire graduated from York High School in Elmhurst, Illinois and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Northern Illinois University (NIU), DeKalb with additional graduate hours in elementary education from The National College of Education, Evanston, Illinois, and in psychology and interpersonal communications from the College of DuPage (COD), Glen Ellyn, Illinois. She was on the President’s list and Dean's list at COD. During her college years at NIU, Claire was the president of her sorority, Delta Zeta.
Claire taught in Illinois schools, beginning her career in Evergreen Park. As she raised her family (four children in four years), she earned certifications in special education, English as a second language (ESL), early childhood education and substitute teaching. Ahead of her day, she employed multicultural teaching methods in her teaching approach. Primarily, she taught in Hinsdale and Downers Grove school districts. As a substitute teacher, she even had her own children and a future son-in-law (Mark) in her classes! Claire finished her career teaching in Hinsdale at the Union Church Christian Family Weekday Program. She continued to use her teaching skills with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. When asked on her 90th birthday what she taught, she said “Everything”!
Claire contributed much to her church and community. She served as a precinct committee person and frequently as an election judge. She served as a foster parent, an Urban Gateways Friendly Town Vacation Plan Sponsor for disadvantaged children, and as a Room Mother and Band Parent for her children. At her church, Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Westmont, Illinois, she was a member of the Women’s Council Board, Christian Women’s Club, Christian Family Movement, and a Lector. She also served as a member of the church’s New Building Planning Committee. The beautiful church building is standing today.
Claire also liked to have fun! A Chicagoland native, Claire was an avid Cubs fan with autographs of players from the 1940s. She attended Spring Training in Mesa, Arizona on her 85th birthday in 2016, the year the Cubs won the World Series!
Family fun and frolic over most summer weekends included camping, swimming, fishing, and water skiing at the Wilmington Recreation Club in Braidwood, Illinois – aka “The Club”. These summers are remembered very fondly by Claire and her children. Over the years, going to The Club became a Palmer Family tradition. This was eagerly anticipated by Claire’s grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family, and lots of friends. What fun everyone had!
Just days before Claire passed out of this world, she reminisced that family has always been important to her. Claire, her children, and grandchildren reminisced together over the meaningful ways in which she created a profound sense of love and family, which they will always carry with them.
Claire’s full obituary, a photo gallery and a tribute movie of her life can be viewed at
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/bowie-md/claire-palmer-11041944
Online visitors are invited to comment and upload photos/videos.
Memorial service: January 7, 2023, 11:00 am (EST) at Reformed Church of Bowie, 2708 Church Road, Bowie, MD 20721.
Live stream https://youtu.be/35bRJOm3Rt0
Interment/Service: Chapel Hill Gardens West, Oak Brook Terrace, Illinois – TBD.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.robertevansfuneralhome.com for the Palmer family.
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