Claire Nevelow Golden

1928 - 2023

Claire Nevelow Golden
October 2, 1928 - November 8, 2023
Claire Nevelow Golden, born October 2, 1928, in San Antonio, Texas, died peacefully at her home on Wednesday, November 8, 2023.
Claire was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, where she formed a deep love and passion for the arts. She was a gifted tap dancer, performer, and violinist. Whether it was winning a Shirley Temple Talent Contest at six years old or attending Harding Black's ceramics classes for children in a streetcar set up behind the Witte Museum, Claire developed a unique appreciation for the arts at a young age.
Claire's musical talent took her to the University of Texas at Austin where she majored in Fine Arts, played violin in the UT Orchestra and Austin Symphony, and met her husband, J.Y. Golden. In 1950, the two married. After spending a year in Corsicana, Texas, working for J.Y.'s family business, Claire and J.Y. moved to San Antonio to open Kel-Lac Uniforms, Inc., which they jointly owned and operated for over 50 years. Once in San Antonio, Claire and J.Y. had three children: Steve, Sallie, and Lee.
Claire understood the value of family. A devoted mother, Claire ran an active family life, enrolling her children in various sporting activities, arts, and social outings. Whether it was a family trip to their lake house on Lake Travis, a ski trip in Colorado, or a family dinner, the twinkle in Claire's eyes always shined the brightest when taking care of her family.
Throughout her life, Claire continued to express her passion and appreciation for the arts. In 2013, the San Antonio Art League & Museum awarded Claire the Ethel T. Drought Founders Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Arts. Claire served on the Board of Trustees of the San Antonio Museum of Art and especially enjoyed traveling often with the Friends of Latin American Folk Art to Mexico, Guatemala and other Latin American countries to purchase art for SAMA's annual Bazaar Sabado and to learn about Latin American countries and cultures. Claire's love of music led her to leadership roles in support of the San Antonio symphony, the San Antonio International Piano Competition and the Aspen Music Festival and School.
Claire was also an active preservationist, serving for many years on the Board of the San Antonio Conservation Society, as a founding Board member of the Oak Park/Northwoods Neighborhood Association and later on the Board of the Alamo Heights Neighborhood Association, where she devoted her great energy towards preserving the historic character of San Antonio's neighborhoods. Claire also had a passion for gardening as could be seen at her home, a 1919 Alamo Heights house which Claire painstakingly restored. Claire's home and garden were awarded the San Antonio Conservation Society Award in 2008, showcased in the first San Antonio Garden Conservancy Open Days Tour and featured in the PBS television program and magazine, Central Texas Gardener.
Most of all, Claire loved entertaining and bringing her friends and family together. Claire will be remembered for her lively and festive gatherings, quick wit, elegant style, and larger-than-life spirit. Whether it was for birthday parties, holidays, or any given Saturday, Claire would transform her home into a bright and colorful space filled with food, drinks, and music because nothing filled her heart more than taking care of people and bringing together her family and friends.
Claire is preceded in death by her parents Leo and Rose Nevelow, husband J.Y. Golden, and brother, Howard Nevelow. She is survived by her children: Steve Golden and his wife Libby, San Antonio, Sallie Golden and her husband Jim Aresty, Aspen, CO, Lee Golden and his wife Suellen, San Antonio; her grandchildren: Clay Golden, his wife Maren, and their daughter Perry, Lane Golden, his wife Katherine, and their son Brady, Evan Golden, his wife Lakan, and their son Foster, Courtney Pickus, and Blair Pickus.
The Golden family is forever grateful for the care of Dr. Mark Thorton, Sylvia Sanchez, Karen Keach of Caring Solutions and her wonderful and loving caregivers, Tracy Farmer, Rose Gutierrez, Erma Kate Espinosa, Shekinah Peterson and Giselle Garcia.
A graveside service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, November 10, 2023, at Temple Beth El Memorial Park, 1715 Austin Highway, San Antonio, Texas. In lieu of flowers, and if desired, contributions may be made to the San Antonio Museum of Art, San Antonio Conservation Society or the charity of one's choice.
You may leave a message or memory on the tribute wall on her memorial at www.missionparks.com.