Claire Ann Hentrich

July 24, 1928 to January 2, 2023

Claire Ann (Martin) Hentrich age 94 of Clinton Township Michigan, passed away after a short illness on January 2, 2023. She was predeceased by her parents Otis Martin and Eleanor (Ternes) Martin, her brother Eugene Martin (Joyce), husband Leroy Hentrich and daughter Karen Miotke (Matthew). She leaves behind her children: Janet Polack (John), Joyce May, Thomas Hentrich (Elizabeth), William Hentrich (Evelyn), and Steven Hentrich (Janine); 12 grandchildren: Brian Miotke (Chelsey), Julie Hardy (Scott), Melissa Weber (Paul), Kyle Polack (Rachel), Adam Polack, Meghan Polack-Teolis (Andrew), Tiffany May, Emery May, Gerard Hentrich (Katie), Darryl Hentrich, Christopher Hentrich (Jamie) and Brandon Hentrich (Erin), additionally Valerie, Alex, Julianna; and 15 great grandchildren: Madysen, Drew, Kullen, Nathan, Nolan, Emma, Regina, Ezra, Mila, Will, Lucy, Finley, Theo, Harper and Oliver. She is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews and friends.

Claire grew up in Detroit, Michigan and graduated from St. Ambrose High School in 1946. On October 14, 1950 she married Lee Hentrich and moved to Dayton, Ohio. After the birth of their daughter Karen in 1952, they returned to St. Clair Shores where they would live for most of their 48 years of marriage.

While raising her six children, Claire also worked part-time for Kelly Services in secretarial or bookkeeping positions. In 1982, she took a full-time position with the EDS division of General Motors and retired in 1990.

Claire and Lee enjoyed spending winters in Florida and especially looked forward to family visits and taking their grandchildren to Disney World. In 1995, they sold their Florida home and returned full-time to a condo in St. Clair Shores. After Lee’s death in 1998, Claire continued to live in the Shoreview Court condominium. In 2016, she moved to the Lockwood of Clinton Senior Living Center where she proudly lived independently until her death.

During her lifetime, Claire enjoyed many hobbies including playing the piano, painting and needlepoint. She was very active with volunteer activities having served as a Girl Scout leader, Cub Scout leader, and held various positions with the St. Isaac Jogues Tekakwitha women’s group and her condo association. She also enjoyed many fun times with her neighborhood groups and the St. Clair Shores Red Hat Ladies. She was known for her caring nature and was always assisting neighbors, family and friends.

Claire cherished her grandchildren and would often treat them to sleepovers (which included masterpiece pancake breakfasts), trips to the beach, ice cream and putt-putt golf. As they grew older she stayed in touch with FaceTime or text messages that were always signed Love GMA (a nickname she created and still used by all).

A celebration of life funeral mass will be held on Friday—May 5, 2023 at 12:00 noon at St. Ambrose Church, 15020 Hampton Street, Grosse Pointe Park, MI 48230. A private family burial will be held at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Detroit.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.kaul-fh.com for the Hentrich family.