Claire Stuart
Age - 81
November 18, 2023
(Lavina) Claire Stuart departed this life on Tuesday, November 14, 2023 at Hospice of the Panhandle Inpatient Facility in Kearneysville, WV, following a 10-month struggle with cancer. Claire was born in Hollywood, CA on August 30, 1942. She was the daughter of Eva Trachtenberg Stuart (Marks) and Edward Stuart. Claire married Stephen T. Willingham on August 18, 1999 in Winchester, VA. Beside her husband and partner of 35-years, Claire is also survived by two step-sons, Aarron T. Willingham (Karen) of Mountain View, CA, and Sabin D. Willingham (Meghan) of San Mateo, CA. She is also survived by two step-grandsons, Rowan W. Willingham of San Mateo and Arnold D. Willingham of Mountain View, CA. Her step-daughter, Rebekkah M. Willingham, preceded her in death. Claire had no siblings, but enjoyed a supportive circle of cousins, who reside in southern California. Claire graduated from Hollywood High School in Los Angeles, CA in 1959. She later earned a BS from Fairmont State, in Fairmont, WV, and an MS in entomology from The University of West Virginia at Morgantown. Following graduation, she worked for the WV Extension Service before coming to work for the U. S. Department of Agriculture at the Appalachian Fruit Research Station in Bardane, WV. Claire retired in 2005 from the Virginia Public Defender Commission, where she was a secretary. For many years, she wrote a weekly column, "The Bug Lady", first for The Shepherdstown Chronicle, before being picked up by The Martinsburg Journal. Her "Bug Lady" weekly column ran in The Journal for more than 20-years. Claire was also a community columnist with "Getting to Know You" in The Shepherdstown Chronicle that later continued in The Shepherdstown Observer and The Clarke Monthly, published in Berryville, VA. Her writings also spanned a plethora of poems and numerous short stories, some of which appeared in a variety of anthologies. Claire was active in the Shepherdstown based "Bookend Poets" poetry workshop where she met her future partner/husband, Stephen, in 1983. In addition, she was a writer and associate editor for The Shepherdstown Good Newspaper, published by The Shepherdstown Ministerial Association until 2020. Claire was still actively writing for The Clarke Monthly at the time of her death. She also continued her work in entomology, and love for raising flowers and vegetables, by working for Jefferson Greenhouses near Middleway, WV. She was also involved with running vendors stands in Arlington, VA, and at Eastern Market in Washington, DC. Claire once stated that she wanted to be surrounded by beauty and grew flowers and vegetables at home with the assistance of her partner/husband. She was a true Renaissance woman who loved music, particularly early R&B, Jazz, and Rock and Roll, wildlife, particularly wolves, and hiking in state and National Parks. For her, life was a glorious adventure into which one needed to immerse oneself. Claire practiced what she preached. In Claire's memory her many friends and associates may contribute to The Shepherdstown Presbyterian Church or a variety of environmental groups such as Defenders of Wildlife, The Nature Conservancy, and the National Wildlife Federation. Donations can also be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Arrangements are being handled by Enders and Shirley Funeral Home in Berryville, VA. An announcement for a memorial celebration of Claire's life is at the present time incomplete and will be announced at a later date.Show more
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