Claire V. Rothenberg Grossman

Claire V. Rothenberg Grossman Died June 22, 2011 in Nashua, NH. She was an avid collector of friends, teddy bears, hearts, jewelry, and was a dedicated teacher by avocation. Claire was born in 1931 in Ann Arbor Michigan. She was the eldest of the two daughters of Dr. Jean W. and Dr. Robert C. Rothenberg of Cincinnati, Ohio. When Claire was three, her family returned to Cincinnati where she lived into her young adulthood. She was an alumna and counselor of Camp Runoia of Belgrade Lakes, ME. She graduated from Hillsdale High School. She began her collegiate studies at Wheaton College and the University of Wisconsin before earning a Bachelors Degree in Psychology from Bowling Green State University. She received her first Masters Degree in remedial reading from Boston University and her second Masters Degree in special education from California State University, Dominguez Hills. Claire was also a member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority and was the first Jewish member of her chapter. In 1952 Claire married John Herman Grossman, having met in 1943, and remained married for 27 years. The couple moved to California and lived in Monterey (1956), Palo Alto (1960), and Santa Cruz (1961) before settling with their four children in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA in 1966. Claire worked as a reading specialist in the public schools in Santa Cruz. Later, special education became Claire's passion, and she taught for many years in the public schools in Rancho Palos Verdes. She was recognized as teacher of the year in the 1980s. After retiring she moved to Santa Fe, NM in the early 1990s, where she taught part time and became the president of the New Mexico Jewish Historical Society. In 2005 she moved to Nashua, NH. Claire will be remembered for many things. She was an amazing mother with a vision for her family. She was a beloved friend who had the ability to make everyone feel special and important. Claire was active in her communities and always on one or more committees. She loved to travel in any form, including backpacking through Europe, cruising on luxury ships, and staying at elder hostels with her grandchildren. She was very proud to have had an 80th birthday, having overcome several cancers through out her life. She died with the same grace, passion and kindness with which she lived. Surviving Claire are her sister and brother-in-law, JoAnne and Alan Travis of St. Louis, MO; and her married children: Cynthia "Cyndi" J. (Grossman) and Matt Merritt of Burbank, CA, Deborah "Debbi" Anne (Grossman) and Dan Campbell of Lake Oswego, OR, Daniel Scott and Kasia Grossman of Nashua, NH, and Franklin "Frank" Charles and Kathy Grossman of Hollis, NH. Her seven beloved grandchildren are: Suzi, Jenny, David, Robert, Gavriella, Matthew, and Elzashira. A graveside service will be held on Sunday, June 26th in Cincinnati, OH. A memorial service will be held locally on Sunday June 26th at Temple Beth Shalom in Santa Fe, MN at 11 a.m. Another memorial service will be held on Monday July 25th at 4 pm at Temple Beth Abraham, Nashua, NH. See www.davisfuneralhomenh.com for updated information.