Virginia Claire Buschmann

1945 - 2016

BORN

1945

DIED

2016

About

Arizona State University Illinois State University

Virginia Buschmann Obituary

Buschmann, Virginia Claire
71, of Phoenix passed away on August 16, 2016. She was suffering with complications from emphysema. Claire was born January 27, 1945 in Coral Gables, Florida. She grew up principally in Los Altos, California except for a five year period when she and her family lived in England. Claire moved to the Phoenix area in the 1980's.
Claire went to Whitman College in Washington state, graduating in 1966 with a bachelors degree in Political Science. She also earned a master's degree in Counseling from Illinois State University. She worked as a counselor in the College of Nursing at Arizona State University until her retirement. She then worked as a registered securities representative for Vanguard. She retired in 2010. Claire loved golf, camping, hiking and socializing with her friends. She also had a great love of traveling and flying. She earned her private pilot license in 1993. Claire had many friends who will miss her easy-going kindness and fun-loving generous spirit. As she used to sign off in cards and letters, she would appreciate doing the same here: "Much love, Claire." She is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Toby and Susan Buschmann of Prescott; niece and husband, Ginny and Jake Hanna, also of Prescott and their son, Sutton John Hanna and many friends. Claire was preceded in death by her parents, Bob and Virginia Buschmann. Contributions may be made to the Arizona Humane Society.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Arizona Republic on Aug. 21, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Virginia Buschmann

6 Entries

Nancy Shaffer

August 15, 2022

I think of you often dear friend, not just today but over the years remembering the many wonderful moments we shared. Catching you in your single graduate assistant room singing at the top of your lungs "Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head". Or the night at Haynie when we made scrambled eggs and added wine for some liquid. Yuck! Or when you helped Dawg and me move into our Virginia Beach apartment and we had dinner overlooking the James River. It was a memorable evening! And then there was the time you visited us on Cape Cod and surprised the heck out of me when you announced you no longer ate anything that "had a mother". There went all my meal plans! There were many serious moments too! Her love for and pride in "little bro, Toby", how she loved a good political discussion, the intense care and love she put into her friendships. All this to say, a life well lived and Claire, I will always miss you!

Faye Schuett

December 31, 2016

It is New Years Eve, 2016, and I just received my annual holiday card to Claire back marked ANK: Attempted, Not Known. When I tried to look up a new address for Claire, online, I found this notice of her passing. I am so sorry to hear this news.

Claire had written that she had been ill, but II did not realize the extent of her illness.

I met Claire at Illinois State University when I was a freshman and she was a Haynie Hall resident assistant. I will always be grateful for her belief in me and how she encouraged me to become involved in worthy campus causes.

This year I wrote to tell Claire how I had visited Illinois State in April for the 50th anniversary of Preview Guides, something for which Claire had pushed me to apply. If it hadn't been for Claire, I would never have been a Preview Guide and I probably would not have had to courage to apply to graduate school, either. I owe her so much!

I am so sorry Claire is no longer in this world, and that I never got to meet her beloved brother, Toby. I will always remember her laughter and intense optimism.

Claire encouraged me when I needed it most. As a career educator, I have always tried to follow Claire's example by encouraging students I have met to go beyond themselves and try more!

I shall miss you, Claire. Fly on, now, in favoring winds, and always, toward a blue horizon.

Nancy Banser-Shaffer

August 25, 2016

As Wendy says, I thought I had more time...

Claire was a mentor, a dear friend, the big sister I always wished I had! And an inspiration in so many ways. AND, if not for her and Toby, where would I be today? Certainly not with my life long partner, friend and spouse, "Dawg" Dan Shaffer, whom I met in Toby's Florida apartment one summer evening.
I am forever grateful that Claire was a part of my life and she'll forever have a very special place in my memories and heart.

Karen Odle

August 23, 2016

What a perfect photo to remember Claire's inner beauty with. She was a kind and helpful soul, and a terrific athlete. We journeyed together on a few special occasions, and it was always fun and interesting. On our first trip to Canada, my leg was in a cast and this woman pushed me all over, uphill and down through the Butchart Gardens in a wheelchair. She also saved my life once, and I wish I could return the favor in kind, both metaphorically and literally. I will miss you Claire. Sing with the angels.

Wendy Miller

August 21, 2016

I thought I had all the time in the world to reconnect with Claire...how wrong was I. She is forever entwined with my Whitman College experience and memories.

Showing 1 - 6 of 6 results