Claudia S. Rolf

Claudia S. Rolf, age 77, was an accomplished educator who cared deeply about the instruction of children. Born the oldest of three siblings, she was not confident by nature. She worked her entire life to overcome her own recalcitrance so she could impact young people in a positive way.
Claudia was an active participant in the church community at Pilgrim Christian Church in Chardon from the time she was a child. She was a steadfast Christian, and found great comfort in both learning the Word and in its rituals. Claudia served in many roles for the PCC community during her life, including holding positions as Elder, Moderator, and Youth Group Advisor.
Claudia was a member of the Girl Scouts as a child. She fondly recalled her time in the organization and considered it her first step toward becoming a leader of people.
Claudia went to Ohio Northern University where she studied to become an educator. She loved to teach reading. After starting her career in Huntsburg, Claudia spent many years at Newbury as a middle school and elementary teacher. Her favorite grade to teach was 6th grade because she loved the books she got to share with her classes.
After twenty years, Claudia went back to college to get her Master's Degree in Education from John Carrol University. She became an administrator at Riverside Local Schools, where she eventually became principal of Leroy Elementary School.
At Leroy, Claudia cared deeply for her staff and the children they educated. She spent her free time working to create the sort of work environment she would have wanted as a teacher. She worked to empower the teaching staff at her school, and encouraged creativity and joy. It was not unusual for her to spend part of her day in the classrooms observing or helping. She strongly felt that being a good administrator required her to understand the work of her building's teachers. She considered herself an advocate for the front-line workers, including nurses, custodians, bus drivers, and teachers. Claudia sought to promote an environment of cooperation, learning, and excitement that would lead children to success. She cared for the Leroy community and wanted to give everything she had to that community's children.
Claudia was a member of the Ohio Educators Association and was committed to supporting the union as a way to better the working conditions of regular people. She was a member of several professional organizations, including Phi Delta Kappa.
Claudia was a loving mother to Matt, her only child, and advocated for him on many occasions during his path through school. She was generous with her time to her child, and engaged with him in long conversations about current events over dinner. She encouraged him to think about what was happening in the world, and to consider solutions to the world's problems.
Claudia was a devoted wife and partner to her husband Bill. The two of them shared many adventures during their lifetime. They spent their retirement traveling and reveling in being grandparents.
Claudia sought to be a loving daughter and sister in her family, and worked to build and maintain lasting relationships in her immediate family. Claudia was a devoted and loyal friend. She was often the understated glue that held together various social groups without attracting attention to herself. Claudia had a strong sense of right and wrong and always considered the most ethical course of action in any situation.
Claudia loved biking, walking, and exercise. She enjoyed all kinds of music, but especially folk music, rock music, and pop-country music. Contrary to her son's frequent assertions, she did not like Busta Rhymes.
Claudia was born on December 27, 1947, in Solon to Robert Gardner and Isabelle (nee: Poznan), was a lifelong resident of Chardon, and died at Judson Park, Cleveland, on March 13, 2025. She was a teacher at Huntsburg and Newbury Elementary Schools, and an Elementary School Principal at Leroy Elementary. She was a graduate of Chardon High School and a member of the Pilgrim Christian Church, where she served as moderator.
Claudia is survived by her son, Matthew Rolf (Alison) of Shaker Hts.; her brothers, Jeff Gardner (Carol) and Tim Gardner (Diane); and granddaughters, Juliette and Aurelia Rolf, and a friend and partner to Alison and Matthew, Elizabeth Brake.
Claudia was preceded in death by her parents and her dear husband, Bill.
A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, March 22, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Pilgrim Christian Church, 202 South Hambden Street, Chardon, with family greeting and reception to follow.
Arrangements are by the Burr Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Chardon, OH. Information and condolences online at www.burrservice.com