Claire Daring

Claire Daring, born October 10, 1940, in London, passed away on November 11, 2025. Her life was defined by courage, warmth, and a spirit that embraced the world with open arms.

In her early years at the BBC, Claire carried the same boldness that would follow her throughout her life. It was during this time that she met her future husband, John Pound, in a moment as charming as it was unexpected. At the Serpentine in Hyde Park, Claire, strong-willed and unapologetically herself, refused to move from the diving board. After a playful nudge from the lifeguard on duty, John, a love story began. Their marriage was one of adventure and companionship that would last throughout their lives.

After welcoming their daughter Carole in Brighton, Claire felt the pull of a different horizon. In 1965, she and John bravely set out for South Africa, a place that soon became her spiritual home. There, their son John was born, and Claire embarked on a deep journey of spiritual and philosophical discovery.

Claire was far ahead of her time. Long before holistic health became mainstream, she understood the profound connection between food and wellbeing. Her studies at the Kushi Institute in the United States shaped a lifelong dedication to macrobiotics. With compassion and intuition, she guided countless people toward health and healing. Her kitchen became a haven, where meals were nourishment, comfort, and community all at once.

A devoted gardener and passionate animal advocate, Claire found peace among her flowers and vegetables, and joy in the company of her animals. Later in life, she brought her gentle steadiness to a new role as a school bus driver, caring for the children she transported each day.

Claire’s journey was touched by deep personal loss, most profoundly the passing of her beloved daughter Carole. This loss reshaped her later years, deepening her compassion, her spiritual reflections, and her determination to live with tenderness and presence. She also mourned the loss of her sister, Iris. Through it all, Claire carried her grief with grace, turning sorrow into an even greater capacity for empathy and understanding.

She is survived by her son, John; her brother, John; her sister, Lynne; and her treasured grandchildren, John, Anna, Ayla, Matthew, Mark, Jessica, Aubrey, Tyler, Benjamin, Jasmine, and Jocelyn.

A memorial service to celebrate Claire's extraordinary life will be held on December 5, 2025, at Chism-Smith Funeral Home in Irving, Texas, beginning at 2:30 PM. This gathering will honor Claire's legacy of love, kindness, and the profound impact she made on the lives of many people.

As we reflect on Claire’s life, we are reminded of her remarkable ability to connect with others, her bold spirit, and her unwavering compassion for all living things. Claire Daring leaves behind a legacy of hope and healing.