Claire S. Roth

Wernersville, Friday, April 11, 2014 -- CLAIRE STREETER ROBINSON ROTH entered into eternal life 4/11/2014 after a series of health issues.

Born and raised in Athol, MA, she graduated in 1938 from a private school in Northfield, MA and later attended art school in Trenton, NJ.

She married her hometown sweetheart, Bernhard "Bernie" A. Roth, in January 1942.

After his service in the Army Air Corps and living in Massachusetts several years, they moved to the suburban Philadelphia area, where he began a career with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Claire was a homemaker and loving mother to their three children, taught Sunday School, and organized the many family camping trips. In her forties when her children were grown, Claire pursued her dream of becoming an elementary school teacher, graduating from West Chester University and teaching kindergarten and first grade in Upper Darby, PA.

During the 1980's, after the couple retired to Berks County, PA, Claire volunteered as an aide for Head Start and helped transport patients at Berks Heim.

She and her husband traveled extensively, visiting England, Ireland, Portugal and other places. Claire enjoyed flowers, especially her hydrangeas, irises and morning glory plants.

She loved art, continuing her art lessons and producing paintings in her earlier years and visiting museums throughout her life. She illustrated her husband's first book, A Yankee Schoolmaster in the Army. She also loved walking in the outdoors and looking for bluebirds at Blue Marsh Lake, as well as watching PBS and the Philadelphia Phillies.

Following Bernie's passing in 2007, Claire moved to Phoebe Berks Retirement Village, where she volunteered in the chapel, read to home-bound residents, enjoyed band concerts and playing Scrabble with her friends, and participated in the senior "Olympics" before her health declined. Loved especially for her jovial spirit, gentle heart, and helpful manner, Claire will be dearly missed.

She is survived by daughter Anita "Nita" C. Dossin and her husband Steve of Fort Worth, TX; son B. Robin "Rob" Roth and his wife Darlene of Wyomissing, PA; son Roger A. Roth and his wife, Darlene Friedman of Springfield, Delaware County, PA; brother Clyde Robinson of Jacksonville, Florida; granddaughter Eden Yi Roth of Springfield; and grandsons Luke A. Roth of Manayunk, PA; and Daniel J. Roth of Wyomissing, PA.

Donations in Claire's memory may be made to Bern Reformed UCC Church, 3196 Bernville Road, Leesport, PA 19533 or Phoebe Ministries, 1925 Turner Street, Allentown, PA 18104.

Memorial service and burial will be private in Vermont, one of Claire's most beloved areas.

The Kirkhoff Funeral Home, Bernville is entrusted with the funeral arrangements.