Margaret Gehman

Claire Gehman VIRGINIA BEACH - Margaret Claire Sheehan Gehman died Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2010 in a Norfolk hospital. She was born in Wilmington, N.C., May 29, 1918, the daughter of James Benedict Sheehan and Catherine Healy Sheehan. She was raised in Norfolk, graduating from St. Mary's Academy. Mrs. Gehman loved music and singing and sang in the choir for many years at St. Edward's Church in Palm Beach, Fla. While there, she was the president of St. Edward's Guild. She was very interested in horticulture and flower arranging and served as a flower show judge for several years in the Bethesda/ Chevy Chase, Md., area. Mrs. Gehman was a counselor with the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society. Additionally, she was president of the docents at the Flagler Museum in Palm Beach. Mrs. Gehman also assisted in the resettlement of Navy and civilian wives and children during the evacuation of Guantanamo Bay, Cuba in the fall of 1962. She was predeceased by Capt. Harold W. Gehman Sr. and is survived by two sons, Retired U.S. Navy Adm. Harold W. Gehman Jr. and wife Janet of Virginia Beach, James E. Gehman and wife Lauren of Norfolk; and two daughters, Kathleen G. Wallace and husband James and Margaret G. Lanman and husband John, all of Blowing Rock, N.C. She is also survived by her sister, Katherine Genevieve Sheehan of Chesapeake. Claire is also survived by five grandchildren, Katherine Gehman, Christopher Gehman, Matthew Gehman, Elizabeth Gehman Thalhimer and Robert Walsh and five great-grandchildren. Mrs. Gehman's greatest accomplishment in life was to raise four children successfully during a world war and several long naval deployments. She executed several household moves, guided the development of four children and at the same time counseled younger Navy mothers who struggled with the long periods of separation. Her guidance was gentle, supportive and reassuring. Her strength of character inspired all to tolerate adversity and believe in God. The family would like to thank the loving and skillful care of the caregivers at Our Lady of Perpetual Help and Home Instead of Virginia Beach during the last two and a half years. A funeral Mass celebrating the life of Mrs. Gehman will be held at St. Bede Catholic Church, 3686 Ironbound Road, Williamsburg, Monday, Sept. 27, at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society. Online condolences may be expressed at www.nelsencares.com.