Claire Engelhardt

1927 - 2023

Engelhardt, Claire, - 95, of Smithville, Texas, passed away on Thursday, February 23, 2023. She was a mother to six children, grandmother to 17, and great grandmother to ten.

Claire was born an identical twin on June 7, 1927 in Philadelphia, PA. She lived for many years in Northfield, NJ, where she not only raised her large family but where she was also a business owner (at a time when it was less common for women to be business owners). Claire owned a beauty salon, LaFemme, in Northfield and later opened another salon with the same name in Delray Beach, Florida, where she had moved to be closer to some of her children and grandchildren.

In addition to being a talented esthetician, in particular cutting and coloring hair and manicuring nails, Claire was also gifted at sewing, making clothing and gifts for her children and grandchildren. She always made sure to remember each of her 17 grandchildren's birthdays with cards and presents, and she proudly displayed their pictures in her home. Claire also loved cats and always had a feline friend in her home as well.

She is survived by her six children: John Engelhardt, Alice Traugott (George), Kathryn Engelhardt Cronk (Tom), Suzanne Plummer, Charles Engelhardt (Jayne), and Robert Engelhardt (Debra); her 17 grandchildren; and 10 great grandchildren, all of whom are grateful for the beautiful family scrapbooks Claire created for each of her children's families. Claire was predeceased by her parents, Janette and Steven Villo; her brother, Wallace Villo; and her twin sister, Jane Villo.

She will be laid to rest with her twin sister at Hillside Cemetery in Roslyn, PA. Services are private.