Claire Johnson Breihan

"Life is a gift," declared Claire Johnson Breihan as often as possible in her 89 trips around the sun. Claire was born on October 3, 1934, in Corpus Christi, Texas, to Loyd Robert Johnson and Charlotte Mobley Johnson. She died peacefully surrounded by family on April 25, 2024. Her deep faith, loving spirit, and her enduring connection to the Texas coast developed early and energized her for life. She was raised only a few blocks between Corpus Christi Bay and her childhood church, a home she revisited frequently. Claire graduated from W.B. Ray High School, spent a year at Del Mar College in Corpus Christi and then began her grand adventure in Austin and the University of Texas. She loved them both, never leaving Austin or the Horns. She became a charter member of the Christian Faith & Life Community, a unique experience housed in what is now the Hotel Ella. There, she made many of her lifelong friends and companions.

After graduating in 1955, Claire married the Rev. Bob Breihan and soon moved to a new house on a dirt road in west Austin. She lived there for her next 66 years, raising three children, putting up with plenty of chaos and hosting countless informal get togethers for kids and adults through the years. She turned that house into a loving home true to her own spirit and love for life.

During the sixties and seventies, Claire was active in the civil rights movement as Austin underwent desegregation. Along with her husband Bob and children, she walked picket lines, attended protests and took action to move Austin toward inclusiveness. To become involved in AISD's desegregation process, she returned to UT to earn a teaching certificate, then first worked for AISD beginning in 1972 as a school-community liaison in the early days of the court- ordered school desegregation. She was dedicated to making that process as positive as possible.

She loved being involved with students, teachers, parents, and even administrators. She soon realized a desire to make her career with schools and students. So, back to college she went - this time to Southwest Texas State - where she attended nights and summers to earn a master's degree in education administration. Claire felt blessed to be hired as an assistant principal at S.F. Austin High School beginning in 1978. She served at Austin High for 18 years, loving every day she was there. She always felt that teachers, parents, and especially teenagers gave her more than she could possibly give them.

She also loved that Austin High was on the Town Lake Trail. She ran that lake trail daily as her training for at least two dozen Capitol 10,000 runs that she so enjoyed with family, friends and thousands of others while wearing her favorite colorful whirlybird hat. She was a runner into her 80s!

When she retired in 1996, Claire happily embraced the role of "Grandma" to seven wonderful human beings and began to travel the world. With her church she went on mission and witness trips to Cuba and South Africa among others, always returning ready to inform folks about human issues. With Elderhostel programs she traveled to document wildlife in places like Belize and Midway Island. The travel that earned her the title of "Grandma with the Mostest," was taking every grandchild one at a time on dream trips to places like the Galapagos, Australia, Africa and the Mediterranean.

You could always count on a hug, a big smile and an easy laugh from Claire. Life was indeed a blessed gift for her and all who knew her. Throughout her life, she felt the presence of an awesome creator. She always meant it when she reminded her family and friends that "Life is a gift," and with Claire as an example, we all knew to respond enthusiastically, "Praise the Giver!"

Claire is survived by her children, Laurie Breihan and husband Dave Lang, John and wife Katie Breihan, Celia and husband Doug Johnston; grandchildren Ben Lang and wife Adeline Hill; Travis, Annie, and Rachel Breihan; Nicole and Jessica Johnston and great-grandchildren Maisie and Ever Langhill. She was predeceased by her parents and by her grandson Thomas Lang.

A celebration worship service of her life will be held on May 23 at 2:30 pm at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 3208 Exposition Blvd., with a reception following.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in her memory to a charity involved with feeding children (like the Central Texas Food Bank or Manos de Cristo), The Trail Conservancy, or to the church she so loved, Westminster Presbyterian, all organizations with missions dear to her heart.