Clare Louise Hooper

Hello to Clare's Children, Family and Friend,

Clare was my very best friend when we were kids.  We were inseparable.  She came to our cottage along the Susquehanna every summer.  Her dad, Jack the Fireman, brought my mom and dad  many cartons of fresh vegetables from his large garden.  Clare looked like her dad.  He loved his garden and had many climbing rose bushes in his back yard.  They owned the home and rented out the top floor as a duplex.  

Clare's mom, Florence Christine Schultz Neunamaker Jones was a sweet, gentle kind person.  Every Christmas, Clare and I would rummage through every closet in their house on Amherst Ave in W-B searching for Clare's presents.  Clare had a crush on my brother, I think.  She would never say.

My mother and aunt were dumbfounded when Clare rode her bike from Wilkes-Barre to Plymouth, on a Saturday when I was visiting my aunt.  They were in awe of her courage and daring behavior way back then.

We rode our bikes together for hours every day.  I had a white Starlit Schwinn and Clare had a Black Panther Schwinn, it was silver and maroon.  She was closer than any sister could have been during those years.  Then in the ninth grade, I discovered boys and our relationship as best friends came to an end.

I contacted Clare about a year ago and we exchanged e-mails for awhile.  I am glad we had the opportunity to reconnect for awhile. It was nice to talk to each other as adults.

As I recall, Clare's seventy-third birthday would have been on February 21.  I am so sorry for your loss and I am sure that you have wonderful memories of Clare.  I know how much fun she could be and how action oriented she always was.  I know you will miss her terribly and treasure all your wonderful memories of Clare.

Please accept my sincere condolences.