Claire Albertine Potocky

Claire Albertine Potocky

Claire Potocky, 96, a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grand-mother passed away on Sunday, January 6, 2013 in Camarillo after a brief battle with pneumonia.
Claire was born in Bellingham, Washington in 1916 to Captain Charles Carlson and wife Alice May. She graduated from Walla Walla University in College Place, WA with a BS in Science, and from the University of Washington, where she studied Public Health Nursing. She worked as a school nurse for 23 years in the Oxnard School district and retired in 1979.
In 1941, Claire married Eric Edler Johansson, son of first generation Swedish immigrants to America. They had two children, Gloria Elizabeth Gibbs (deceased 2001) and Eric Edler Johansson Jr. (wife, Susan). Life circumstances brought Claire and her two young children to Ventura County in the summer of 1955. In August of 1959, she married Vester Easterling and welcomed his daughter, Nina, as her own.
Besides Claire's dedication to her nursing profession, she was an adventurous traveler, having visited every continent in the world. Among her favorite countries were Egypt, China, Mexico, Spain, and Peru. Her walls and shelves are filled with art and artifacts from her travels. She had a love of music and performing, and had a passion for gardening. She was a member of the American Association of University Women, the Ventura County Cribbage Association, the Anacapa Fuchsia Society, the Ventura County Ombudsmen, the Port Hueneme Chamber of Commerce, the White Shrine of Jerusalem, the Daughters of the Nile, the Eastern Star, and the Channel Island Gulls. In 1980, Claire was the founder of the Ladies Oriental Shrine of North America in Oxnard, CA and became the first High Priestess.
In July of 1989, Claire married Joseph Potocky. They led an active life in their tight-knit Port Hueneme neighborhood where they enjoyed many lively social events including line dancing, camping, card games and dinner groups. Their backyard was Claire's pride and joy where she and Joe would spend countless hours tending to their roses, vegetables, fruit trees and over 100 cymbidium plants. Nothing made Claire happier than simply spending time with her family and friends. Her genuine warmth and contagious smile could brighten anyone's day.
In addition to her husband, Joseph, and two children, Eric and Nina, Claire leaves behind three grand-daughters: Kristin Gorum (husband, Jerry) of Olympia, WA., Karin Haggmark (husband, Joshua) of Ventura, CA and Sarah Cameron (husband, Matthew) of Atascadero, CA. Claire was blessed with five great -grandchildren: Annika, Ryker and Kai Haggmark of Ventura and Jaxon and Maddox Gorum of Olympia, WA. She is also survived by three generations of extended family in Washington
Memorial services for Claire will be held on Saturday, January 12, 2013 1:00 p.m at the Lutheran Church of our Redeemer located at 721 Doris Avenue in Oxnard with the Pastor Nancy Switzler officiating.
Claire's final resting place will be at the Pleasant Ridge Cemetery in La Conner, Washington with graveside services held Saturday, January 19, 2013.
Contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home and Crematory, 3150 Loma Vista Rd., Ventura. Condolences may be left at

TedMayrFuneralHome.com.