Gambino, Claudia Ruth of Mission Viejo, California, age 78, passed away peacefully Sunday, January 10, 2021 at home surrounded by her loving family. Claudia was born on August 23, 1942 to Claude Staton and Aleen Staton in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, and was an only child. She attended elementary, Jr. High, and High School in Caney, Kansas, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from California State University, Long Beach, California in 1966. She earned a Lifetime Teaching Credential in 1974.
Claudia married Steve Dellinger in 1961 in Kansas, and thereafter moved to Compton, California. They had one child, Keri Dellinger LaMar. After Claudia’s first husband passed away in 1971, Claudia married Joseph Gambino in 1973, and they had one child, Brandon Gambino. Joe predeceased Claudia on April 8, 2016.
Claudia started taking piano lessons at the age of 8, and playing the piano became her life-long passion. In her youth, she accompanied every soloist and musical group in her community. She could read music and could also play by ear. She played the drums in her high school band. Claudia was also a Rainbow Girl in her teenage years.
Claudia played for numerous singing and church groups over the years and played as a volunteer every week for the past 50 years at various nursing homes. For the last decade, she played the piano for the Tremble Clefs Parkinson’s singing choir, Mount of Olives Adult Day Care, and the OK Chorale dementia music group in Orange County, CA. Claudia touched countless lives with her gift of music.
Claudia also impacted many students in her role as an elementary school teacher. She taught at Lynwood Elementary in Lynwood, CA, and Pat Nixon Elementary in Cerritos, CA. She was loved by her students, many of whom she has kept in touch with all these years.
Claudia was Room Mother for her children’s elementary schools, volunteered with the Tetzlaff Jr. High PTA with Joe, and served on the ABC School District Board of Directors in the 1980s.
Claudia is survived by her daughter Keri LaMar of St. John, US Virgin Islands; her son Brandon Gambino, daughter-in-law Melanie Gambino, and treasured granddaughters Isabella, Charlotte, and Juliette Gambino of Huntington Beach,California.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 23, 2021 at Fairhaven Memorial Services, 27856 Center Drive, Mission Viejo, CA 92692 in the outdoor chapel from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
A private burial will be held for Claudia’s immediate family only. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, Claudia requested donations to:
K9-Spirit Organization Dog Rescue
Parkinson’s Association of Orange County
www.fairhavenmemorialservices.com
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