Claire Jeanne Bonner (nee Speitel), 94, surrounded by her loving family, died peacefully on August 24, 2021 in Lansdale, PA.  Daughter of the late Edmond and Lillian (nee Kohlschreiber) Speitel, and beloved wife of the late Robert J. Bonner, Jr., Claire was born on October 6, 1926, in East Oak Lane, PA., the second eldest of six children. She is survived by her sisters, Anne E. McCann and Helene A. Spause, sister-in-law, Rosemarie Speitel, 6 nieces and 10 nephews.  Claire is preceded in death by her brothers, Reverend Edmond J. Speitel, Gerald E. Speitel, sister Mary H. Dorley, and brothers-in-law Cornelius J. Spause, Albert J. Dorley Jr., and Martin B. McCann Jr., cousin Harry E. McDermott, and nephews Thomas More McCann and Edmond C. Speitel. Claire was a devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, great grandmother and friend. 

Claire graduated from St. Helena Grammar School, and went on to attend Cecilian Academy on a full academic scholarship. She convinced the nuns to teach the young women to type, because the war was coming and only men received typing. In fact, her senior prom was held on D-Day. She was the Valedictorian of her Senior Class. Upon graduating in 1944, Claire used her organizational and typing skills well in her first job as Executive Administrative Assistant for Western Saving Fund Society in Center City Philadelphia.

During the summer of 1947, Claire met her husband, Robert J. Bonner Jr., on the beach in Ocean City, New Jersey – a town that was beloved by her mother and father. Claire and Bob were engaged on August 8, 1948, and married April 23, 1949. 

While raising five children, Claire found time for her daily power walks, yoga and water exercise and cheering on the Phillies and Eagles. She taught water exercise for many years at both the Philadelphia Protestant Home and the North Penn YMCA. Remarkably, she was still teaching at age 90!

Claire enjoyed her volunteer work, initially running the Christmas bazaars at Presentation BVM Elementary School. She volunteered for years at Cardinal Dougherty High School, with the band and drill team. During her children’s high school years she edited and typed masters theses for many of the priests with whom she became good friends. Claire and Bob also had the wonderful opportunity to travel through Europe in the summer of 1966 with the Cardinal Dougherty Band, where they made life-long friends, and which was a highlight of their lives together.

Claire had a distinguished career life, working first for Novelty Printing and as banquet manager for the Block and Candle restaurant. Claire became a travel agent for Roslyn Travel, which afforded her the opportunity to travel the world with many of her good friends. She was the secretary to the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul (Philadelphia) for eight years. She rounded out her career as an event planner for Showcase Associates, with whom she worked 25 years, until age 80.

Claire is predeceased by her husband of 26 years, and many close friends. As Matriarch of the Bonner family, Claire imbued her children with love, determination, spirituality and kindness. She raised five children: Dr. Robert E. Bonner (Mary Ann), Thomas C. Bonner, Esq., James E. Bonner, P.E. (Maria), Mary Claire (Christopher J. Lagno, Esq.), and Jeanne Marie (Dr. Robert J. Motley).

She will be deeply missed by them, their spouses, 15 grandchildren, and 25 great grandchildren.

Visitation from 9:00-10:30am, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11am thanking God for Claire in our lives, will be held at Saint Stanislaus Catholic Church, 51 Lansdale Avenue, Lansdale, PA. 19446 on Monday, August 30, 2021. Interment Holy Sepulchre, Philadelphia.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Caring Hospice Services, 400 Commerce Drive, Fort Washington, PA. 19034.