Claire Neff Hutchison of Peoria, formerly of Springfield, passed away peacefully on Saturday morning, March 31, 2012, at her home. Mass of Christian Burial, celebrating her life, will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 14, 2012, at St. Ann Catholic Church in Peoria, with Fr. Terry Cassidy as celebrant. Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. on Friday, April 13, 2012, also at the church, with a Vigil Prayer Service at 3:45 p.m. Interment will be at St. Mary Cemetery in West Peoria. Memorial contributions may be made in Claire’s memory to St. Ann Catholic Church. Born Elizabeth Claire Neff in Chicago, she was the daughter of Clarence and Margaret (Delaney) Neff. She married her husband of 28 years, Karl William Hutchison, on September 11, 1948. Claire attended The Faulkner School in Chicago and graduated from DePauw University in 1948. She continued on a path of lifelong learning, adding a Master’s Degree in Counseling from Sangamon State University in 1974, and two Master’s Degrees from Bradley University. She complemented her formal education by including a year of teaching English at Szechuan University in Chengdu, China in 1997. After raising seven children, Claire continued to contribute to the community in her work with the City of Peoria Private Industry Council and by owning and operating a vocational school, Careers in Hospitality, on Main Street in Peoria for over ten years. Claire was a devout Catholic, an ecumenical minister and was active in Cursillo for more than thirty years. Claire was a member of the National Association of Women Business Owners and held multiple leadership positions on the Illinois State Board of Directors for ARC of Illinois, advocating for persons with disabilities, and continued her leadership with PARC for many more years. Claire loved the golf course as much or more than books, being an avid reader, who played golf even in the last year of her life. She was a member of many clubs including Bible Study, Prayer Group, Golf Club, Red Hat Club, and perhaps her favorite, Bridge Club. She is survived by her children, Pearl Foster of Spokane, WA, William (Ivy) Hutchison of Bloomington, Larry (Grace) Hutchison of Thousand Oaks, CA, Robert (Karen) Hutchison of Emmaus, PA, John C. Lake of Brooklyn, NY and Liz (Rick) Boudreau of Groveland; and ten grandchildren. Claire was preceded in death by her brothers, Jerry and John Neff, and her son Daniel. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Clary Funeral Home, 3004 West Lake Avenue, in Peoria.
| Cinda Thompson Berry |
Friend |
April 17, 2012 |
I landed in Peoria in 1981. Claire was one of my first employers at the Private Industry Council, and her help and example were/are priceless. We kept in touch over the years, and she even helped at my wedding! I'll always be grateful I got to know her in life, and I hope to continue to learn to live with her grace and energy.
| Steve Neff |
Condolence |
April 16, 2012 |
Aunt Claire has been with me my entire life -- only occasionally in person, but always in spirit. It is inconceivable that she could ever be forgotten by any one who knew her even slightly. She was so full of life, constantly curious about everything, always up for adventure of some kind or other. And, in the raising of seven children, adventure was certainly never in short supply. She was no tolerator of nonsense -- similarly in ample stock, it may be guessed, amongst seven offspring -- but had a heart of pure gold. She will be missed by all of us who knew her. But more important, she will always be part of all of us. And that is what she would have wanted most of all.
| Linda Hallmann |
Friend |
April 13, 2012 |
I met Claire on the golf course and played many years with her. She was quick to give helpful advise on the finner points of the game. Claire became a good friend as time passed. You could always depend on Claire to tell you exactly what she thought about any subject. I respected her thirst for learning and was introduced to many subjects because of her studies. By her life she gave us a model as to how to get the most out of life.
| Donna Mazzuckelli |
Friend |
April 12, 2012 |
So sorry to hear of Claire's passing. She will certainly be missed in therapy.Are prayers are with the family.
| Liz Boudreau |
daughter |
April 11, 2012 |
We are forever connected as mother and daughter, because of Jesus, we will be together again soon...until that day rest in peace dear mom...aka...ma!!!~
