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Claire was a special friend. At times she was a teacher, a listener, a teller of Jewish life a proud Mom, grandma, a great-grandma and mother-in-law. Her life was special as was she. I’m sure wherever she goes she will continue her stories about life and the Jewish faith. Goodbye my friend.
— Gail Hyland
I am privileged to have known and loved Claire and Charles Levi. Claire was an elementary grade teacher when we first met and later a secondary teacher of English. Claire was a superb teacher and a valued colleague in each of her schools, Claire always modeling her deep understanding of students and her vast abilities to engage them.
I first met Charles when we participated in a social justice weekend retreat. Each person replied to a questionnaire before the retreat introducing himself or herself. From his sensitive, thoughtful comments, I could barely wait to meet Charles.
Claire was a model of graciousness. And Charles was her beloved companion on their journey to extend kindness to all they met. I saw them together and separately. We spent school times together, fun times together, and sad times together. I can still see Claire and Charles peeking into the funeral home to support me at my grandmother’s wake.
Claire and I attended a meeting where Gerda Klein was the featured speaker. Claire introduced me to Mrs. Klein who signed my copy of her book with “To Kathy, a friend of Claire and, therefore, a friend of mine.” I still tell my students about that meeting and include the movie One Survivor Remembers for my students to appreciate.
Once when he was in downtown Buffalo where I worked, Charles took me to the Yankee Doodle Room for Rum Raisin ice cream. I thought of that day just last week when my husband and I stopped at an ice cream stand and Rum Raisin was on the menu. I have always been fascinated by giraffes. I have many giraffe mementos, several from the Levis. After they had moved to Pennsylvania, but once when they returned to Buffalo to visit, Claire and Charles drove past the Buffalo zoo near the giraffe house. Claire laughed when she told me that at that moment Charles asked Claire, “Did you call Kathy yet?”
Claire and Charles impressed me endlessly with their devotion to one another and to their family. When they were very young, Hana and Jake came with Claire and Charles to our cottage, and whenever Claire and I spoke, Claire helped me catch up on the Levi news. When Charles was interred at Forest Lawn Cemetery, I met Levi Higgins who traced the name Levi on the tombstone and said, “Levi, that’s me.”
I will forever treasure my memories of Claire and Charles and will see the Levis as a testament to the importance of marriage, family, and relationship.
— Kathy Kreis
One of my favorite memories with Claire and Charles, took place 20 + years ago. We were in Boston for the UAHC/URJ Biennial, and one afternoon we went down the street to Trader Joe’s. We left the store with at least one, one-pound bar of chocolate and upon Claire’s face was this mischievous joy that I just fell for.
I can’t remember a single phone conversation with Sue that didn’t end with Claire’s well wishes and I imagine she did that with many of you. She received enormous naches from her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She suffered the loss of two of her children long before their times, and yet, she endured. Her smile was enveloping. To know her was to love her.
My heart goes out to the entire family and all who loved her.
— Rabbi Michele Lenke
Claire was memorable. I wish I had had more time with her.
Whenever our paths did cross she had a special spark and could relate to everyone.
I can only imagine how much you miss her.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
— Eva MacLowry
So sorry to hear about your mom. But I’m so glad she died peacefully with family by her side. I have such warm memories of your mom. What a gracious, smart, kind lady she was. She was so supportive to me in the early, early days of gay rights in Buffalo. At a time when most folks (including my parents) weren’t quite there, just yet. She stood up for me at Temple Beth Zion when Reform Judaism was struggling with what to do with gay Jews – with righteous confidence and class! Aunt Claire always brought the intellectual/academic/rational perspective to these highly charged social justice issues. What a blessing she was!
The Black Lives Matters protests were strong here in Buffalo and I would imagine many of her students who she deeply affected over the years were there. She impacted so many people!
She taught me a lot about friendship. She treasured the relationships in her life. I learned a lot about that from her.
To know she died peacefully is a comfort.
Keeping all those many many family and friends who loved her in my heart. Sending love your way.
— Carol in Buffalo
My deepest sympathy to you and family on the passing of your Mom. I know she will be greatly missed and I hope that her family will find comfort in the beautiful memories shared.
She was a special friend, and the memories that we shared I will continue to hold dear. Please accept our sincere condolences on the passing of our beloved Aunt Claire. She will be missed as the great matriarch of the Levi family.
— Bob and Shirl Levy
Thank you for sharing the sad news about Claire’s passing. She was a special person in my life and my primary connection to the Levi family. Today would have been Julia Levi’s 130th birthday! Regards to the entire family of Charles and Claire Levi.
— Tom Obletz
When Sue and I co-taught a class exploring spirituality, Claire immediately signed up. “I’m not very spiritual,” she warned me. Ha! Claire engaged with eternal questions and interacted with others deeply and with a seriousness of purpose. Her every day actions gracefully modeled our tradition’s most sacred middot/ personal qualities; there isn’t a curriculum in the world that can teach you to care, to be kind and generous, to have courage in the face of unspeakable loss, to be resilient, to have faith in the goodness and meaning and purpose of your sojourn on this earth. Claire had all that and so much more.
To me, Claire was indeed “spiritual” whether she knew it or not, her commanding presence and immense intellectual hunger inspiring me and so many others to dig deeper and reach higher, to wring every blessing out of life.
— Margot Stein
Late in her life, as I knew her, Claire remained an impressive, passionate, and kind woman, whom I am privileged to have called a dear friend. She will be missed by myself and many others.
— Trish Maguire
I have many memories of Aunt Claire…. one of the funniest memories I have was visiting your parents back in 2008 or 2009. We had lunch with your parents at their condo building. Over lunch, your mother shared with me the story of how your parents met. She said, “It was an arranged marriage – I arranged it!”
I always admired your mother – she was incredibly intelligent, funny, and loved life. May her memory be for a blessing. May you and your families have a happy, healthy 5781.
— Rachel Levy Sarfin