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Claude Darrow Shirts
Claude Darrow Shirts
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Claude Shirts Obituary
He was born March 15, 1962, to Gordon and Audrey Shirts, and grew up on the edge of the forest in South Lake Tahoe, California, with his two older siblings, Len and Paula. Claude was creative and talented, and especially drawn to music, theater, and dance. He played the clarinet, oboe, and piano, appeared in plays, and performed with his traveling puppet theater at many birthday parties.
After graduating from high school, Claude discovered sign language, and became a certified sign language interpreter. He moved to New York City and worked in a variety of settings. His professional highlights were the many plays he sign-interpreted, including the Public Theater's Free Shakespeare in the Park and the original production of RENT at New York Theatre Workshop. He also worked with Hands On, a non-profit that provides access to arts and cultural programs for the Deaf and hard of hearing communities. In New York Claude met his first partner Jim Tola and Jim's daughters Darla and Kari. When Jim passed away in 1993 Claude formed the TOLA Program, which offers Deaf youth and parents free or discounted tickets to interpreted family entertainment.
Claude eventually moved back to California and continued working as a sign language interpreter and as a coordinator at Eaton Interpreting Services. In recent years he felt a particular satisfaction working with elementary-aged Deaf and hard of hearing children in the San Francisco school system.
Claude's world opened up to happiness and contentment when he met his partner of 15 years, Robert Alaniz. Of all that they shared together, their greatest joy was their relationship with Robert's daughters and grandchildren.
Claude is survived by his mother, Audrey Shirts, his partner, Robert Alaniz, brother Len Shirts and sister-in-law Franziska Braegger, sister Paula Foley and brother-in-law John Foley, stepdaughters Genevieve Pineida, Jennifer Aguirre, and Samantha Alaniz, and grandchildren Ezalea, Jazzlyn, Mia, Nova, Manuel and Noah. He was preceded in death by his father, Gordon Shirts, and step granddaughter Audrina. He was laid to rest near Audrina on September 1, 2022, at the Hanford Cemetery in Hanford, California.
Donations in his memory can be made to Hands On (TOLA Program), handson.org/donate.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Jeff Wax
December 13, 2022
I cannot believe it - I just found out about Claude's passing. My deepest condolences to his family. I was among the lucky NYC interpreting folks who worked with Claude so many times and counted him a friend. Just what goes through my head at the moment, we never really know what life has in store - grateful to have known Claude.
Janice Eastburn
September 23, 2022
While I only met Claude in person a couple of times, he and I exchanged facebook messenger conversations periodically over the years. He was a kind and gentle man. He sent me some beautiful pieces of Robert´s artwork to cheer me up when I was going through cancer treatment. That sweet and generous gift meant so much to me. This obituary is such a lovely tribute to him. My love and condolences to you all.
Martin Gale
September 8, 2022
Audrey, Len, and Paula, We just were made aware of Claude's passing. So sorry to hear. The Gale family sends its' love and condolences to you
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Priscilla Cooper Jones
September 2, 2022
My heart aches that Claude is gone from us. He was my dear, empathetic friend, an inspiring and supportive colleague, a tireless volunteer, a good neighbor, and a heck of a lot of fun. In the old days in New York we were often paired together for interpreting work, but my favorite times were interpreting shows together for Hands On. He had a great understanding of the world of theatre and a devotion to the nuances of translation. He made rehearsal and showtime a pleasure and a real collaboration.
I have so many snippets of memories going through my mind: The time Claude and I carved about 20 jack o'lanterns one Oct. 30th for a NYC Metro Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf Halloween fundraiser extravaganza. It's a wonder we didn't permanently cripple our hands; the time he created a chyron-like screen saver for my husband's desktop computer to help him (my husband) apologize after an argument with me; emotional times when he leaned on me and when I leaned on him. He gave me close friendship. He gave me confidence. He gave me his (Grandma?) Ida's Carrot Cake recipe.
My deepest condolences to Mrs. Shirts, Paula and Len, and Robert and his family. His love for you all was often voiced and deeply felt.
Many thanks for all the handsome pictures of Claude. I have so few from our pre-smartphone days. I am going to try to share one - from another Halloween fundraiser. It shows off Claude's creativity if not his face. He's the Chrysler building on the left!
He is always in my heart.
Kim Eaton
September 2, 2022
Claude was instrumental in helping me move Eaton Interpreting Services to the next level with his skills, wisdom, and knowledge. He developed the agency´s scheduling program then years later moved us over to another program of which we are still using today. I am eternally grateful for all he did and will always hold a special place in my heart. I am so sorry for your loss. My deepest condolences
Jane Ann Graff
September 2, 2022
Claude was my interpreter for a number years at the Department of Rehabilitation SF and we became close friends and continued communicating through emails when he no longer worked for us. We chatted about every subject under the sun and alot about our Mothers. (Mine has since deceased). Claude was a sensitive and caring person and was quick to offer understanding and support. I will miss his presence on this earth. I will miss the laughs we shared. I would like to extend my condolences to Roberto and his family of whom Claude talked about with joy. Also, I would like to offer my condolences to Claude's mother, whom he loved dearly and was devoted to. Claude talked often of Paula, his sister, and his brother in Germany with fondness and I am saddened they have lost their sibling. Thank you for the lovely obituary and thank you Paula for the great photos. Let me know if you decide to have a Memorial Service in SF for his local friends and family, I will be honored to attend.
George
September 1, 2022
It is privilege to work with you on your ASL interpreting coverage at Dept of Rehabilitation SF office and assisted me greatly. My deepest condolences to you. Rest in Peace.
Liezel
September 1, 2022
We're so sorry for your loss of Claude. To have him serve as our ASL interpreter is a privilege we will never forget. DOR-SF
Jocelyn Concepcion
September 1, 2022
Claude, you will be miss at DOR, San Francisco District. Thank you for your great assistance with our co-workers, specially the Deaf and Harding of hearing. Proud to have worked with you and your laughter I will miss. - Jocelyn Concepcion
Beth Prevor
September 1, 2022
What a shock and loss. My deepest sympathies to his family and friends. I know how proud Claude was of the TOLA program and it continues to go strong having offered theatre opportunities to hundreds of deaf kids and their families. A lasting legacy to his hard work. So many memories about him that it´s hard to pick one but I remember working in the original production of RENT with him - what a ride that was but what an honor to have been a part of that. A long history and he will be missed.
Kitt McCarthy
August 31, 2022
My deepest condolences and also it brought me much joy to see a life so well lived.
Whitehurst-McNamara Funeral Service
August 31, 2022
Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.
Eugene Bourquin
August 30, 2022
I am just sad that this kind, smart, talented human being has left us. When Claude was in NYC we were friends. He and Jim were wonderful to be around. Claude was a role model for me as a new interpreter. He was thoughtful and engaged in the community. Although far away, we had recently connected through social media. I will miss him always.
Lisa Dennett
August 30, 2022
I just got the chills. I learned of Claude's untimely passing on August 25th. On August 23rd - not knowing yet that he passed - I made a donation to Hands On in honor of Jim Tola and the Tola program that Claude created. I became friends with Claude in NYC, because of Jim. We remained fast friends after Jim had passed, through the interpreting field and love of theater. We may have lost touch for a few years after he moved back to CA; I was glad to reconnect and and he shared his new love with Robert and their extended family. How wonderful. He seemed happy. A few years ago he offered to make a video slide show for me for the nonprofit I had established, as a gift. We spoke several times, but the past few years our connection was more on social media. His passing immediately brought tears to my eyes. Rest well, Claude. I'm so glad you were in my life.
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Here are some random pictures of Claude from over the years. Please add any that you have! Thanks, Paula (his sister)
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