Clare Marantz Obituary

1924 - 2017
Clare Marantz, of New York City, died on Saturday, March 11. She was 92 years old.

Clare was born in the Bronx on July 17, 1924, to Joseph and Yetta Stern. A lifelong New Yorker, she spent her formative and young adult years in Brooklyn, raised her children in Queens, and finally realized her dream of living in Manhattan at the age of 80. Much of her life was centered on her fierce love of her family. That family included her devoted and loving husband Sidney, who died in 1996 after 45 years of marriage; daughter Robin Marantz Henig, her husband Jeffrey Henig, and their children: Jess Zimmerman and "our guy" (Clare's words) Justin Cameron, Samantha Henig and her husband Evan Ratliff and their daughter Azalea; son Paul Marantz, his wife Julia Gray, and their children: Andrew Marantz and his wife Sarah Lustbader (with another great-grandchild on the way), Eric Marantz, and Emily Marantz; and her dear sisters, Esther (age 89) and Jeanette (age 85), who along with Clare have comprised the legendary and formidable "schvesters" who provided constant and consistent love and support for each other, their husbands, and all their children and grandchildren.

A confirmed atheist and committed secular Jew, Clare's belief system was based on truth, logic, and justice. A woman of fierce intelligence but no degree beyond high school, she was an accomplished career woman, working as a school secretary at John Bowne High School in Queens for much of her career. Clare was highly opinionated, and famously remarked that one of the most overrated things in life was "open-mindedness," while belying that assertion by always showing interest in others, reveling in engaging them in conversation while questioning her own assumptions as well as theirs. A woman of stark contrasts, she did not suffer fools (or grammatical errors) gladly, yet she had a knack for finding something good in (most) people. She inspired and tickled those around her, including the several writers in the family, who have documented with delight attempting to explain the Internet to her

http://bit.ly/2mgHwew

taking her to a museum about death

http://bit.ly/2mzT7q9

receiving proud voicemails from her about a very silly byline

http://bit.ly/2ntGFHC

and discussing how she planned (or, more accurately, planned not) to die

http://nyti.ms/2njNVGQ

There will be a memorial service for Clare on Wednesday, March 15, at 3 PM at the Plaza Jewish Community Chapel, 630 Amsterdam Avenue (at 91st St), New York, NY. The family will be sitting shiva for their feisty, beloved matriarch at her son Paul Marantz's home in Greenwich, CT on Monday and Tuesday, March 13 and 14 (recognizing that Tuesday might be called on account of blizzard) and at her daughter Robin Marantz Henig's home in Manhattan on Wednesday, March 15 (immediately following the memorial service) and Thursday, March 16. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Clare's memory to the PKD Foundation.

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

Published by New York Times from Mar. 13 to Mar. 14, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Clare Marantz

10 Entries

Margaret Stern

March 7, 2022

I remember best her curious mind and infectious laugh, and how much I loved seeing her with her cousin, my dad, and my cousin Bill Stern. I. miss them both.

Margaret Stern

March 7, 2021

Dear Clare - Cousin Bill left us this year, otherwise I know he'd be here with me telling you that you are indelibly in our memories and sending our love, as would dad, Michael Stern. It would be heartwarming to think of the three of you together.

Margaret Stern

March 7, 2020

Dear 'Aunt' Clare - If dad were still here (gone 11 years on April 7) I know he'd join me in saying it was so great having you in our lives, even though you came late to mine. But I was so lucky to have known you, and enjoyed what dad had all his life. Love from the Sterns.

John Karantonis

July 18, 2017

Clare was my neighbor for many many years.Every morning she would greet me when I was on my way to work and always made my day brighter. She was an exceptional human being and my wife and I always think of her. Yesterday was her birthday and I called her cell phone to wish her happy birthday. When I didn't get an answer I realized something was wrong and I found out of her passing. My condolences to the family and she will be missed by all of us
John Olga and Kirk

March 22, 2017

Sincere condolences, may she R.I.P and may you find a measure of comfort in memories shared together along with the hope of seeing her again, when all is made new and death is no more.

Michael Stern

March 19, 2017

Robin, Paul, Esther and Jeanette:

I am so sorry to hear about Claire. She was always one of my very favorite relatives, since I was a child, and when we gave up our New York apartment, we had a wonderful night on the town. She was a blast and she will always have a hold on a very large part of my heart.

March 19, 2017

Bill Stern, son of Maurice and Pearl Stern, remembers Clare fondly and sends his best wishes to her family.

Margaret Stern

March 19, 2017

She didn't suffer fools gladly, yet another reason her acceptance of us Sterns was such a joy. My deep condolences to Esther and Jeanette and Robin and their families. They were blessed to have had her in their lives.

Pat McNees

March 16, 2017

Love an obituary that makes you chuckle, and I expect she would have loved it, too. Love also the delightful posts on Facebook about Grammy and links to your stories about her. Kind of raises the bar for mothers and grandmothers. So sorry for your loss.

Nina Shapiro

March 14, 2017

Dear Robin and Paul and Esther and Jeannette, We are saddened to learn of Clare's passing. She (and Sidney) remain a fixture in Fima's early U.S. history and we both delighted in meeting Clare at Esther's home. May your wonderful memories of her comfort you. May her memory be a blessing. Nina and Fima Shapiro (friends of Esther and Bernie)

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