Claire Oglesby
Claire wearing one of her favorite hats.
Claire Oglesby
February 5, 1932 – August 5, 2009
Claire passed away peacefully at home, after a long battle with cancer. Special thanks to the friends and caregivers who assisted throughout her illness.
Claire’s legacy extends beyond her immediate family. We hope this website will provide a place where all of Claire’s Family, in the broadest sense – friends, students, community members, performers, artists, colleagues, parents… you are all included, can remember the wonderful woman who changed so many lives.
The blog is started with some family images and places for you to comment. Currently if you have images to share, please email those with captions. Please see the HOW TO USE THIS BLOG page for details and email address. There are also details on that page as to how to navigate the site. We continue to add images and stories and hope you will continue to add comments.
In lieu of flowers, we suggest you make a donation in Claire’s name to your local public library or school library and keep her love of education alive.
Thank you.
By Russ Butler, August 6, 2009 @ 6:59 pm
So sad to hear about Claire’s passing, she was such a wonderful person and our children’s first teacher in the one room (maybe two room?) schoolhouse. She was so supportive as we parents planned and started the Community School (Grades 3-5) in Toby and George Young’s home in the 1960’s. Our “Butler’s Pantry” natural foods store was visited regularly by Claire and we talked about the local news and school. Great conversations.
She is fondly remembered and missed. Thank you, Claire for all that you have done, be now at peace and pain-free.
Mac, and the Oglesby Family, we keep you all in our prayers during this special time. Take care of yourselves to keep strong.
The Butler Family has the news and if you’d like their email address, please let me know. I now live in Vancouver WA (opposite Portland OR)
My condolences to you all. =Russ Butler
songbook24@gmail.com
By Teja (Dorothy) Anderson, August 6, 2009 @ 8:09 pm
I was lucky enough to have Claire as my first through third grade teacher. She was a gifted and forward thinking educator who taught with humor and insight. She touched so many of our lives early on and helped steer many of us to think globally and outside our little community in Westminster West, VT. Best of all, she gave me my first girlfriend in life; her daughter Alice. I will remember her most for putting “scary” colored sprinkles on our ice cream at sleepovers and being able to wrap her feet around the back of her neck! My love goes out to Alice, Molly and Mac.
By Amye Harlow, August 7, 2009 @ 10:07 am
Claire was my teacher, my mentor, my friend. She believed in me and taught me so much about being a teacher who believes in the goodness of each child. Memories of Claire go back to my earliest days when I went to camp at her little log cabin up on the hill. I remember the long hike throught the mown fields to the lollipop tree where we truly believed in magic. I remember the Thanksgiving dinner when Claire and the girls came to our house and we had goose instead of turkey, I hated goose! I remember the letters that all the students wrote to me from Claire’s classroom when I moved to Brazil as a first grader. I remember sitting at the Stookey’s pond with Claire entertaining us with comentary about our swimming techniques! My sons, Ryan, Seth, and Tyler all had the fortune to spend the beginning years of their education in Claire’s classroom. She told them she was 109 and they believed her . . . she also figured out how to get them to rub her shoulders while she was reading to them! Clair encouraged me to become a teacher, I spent every college vacation in her classroom and her recommendations helped me to get my first job. I’ll never forget her smiling face at my concerts and her love and her genuine caring about my family. The last words she said to me were at the Westminster West School concert in May . . . “How is Tyler?” she asked, knowing that he had ridden his bike across the country. My sincere condolences to Mac, Alice, Molly . . . and the grandchildren . . .
By Lori Daniels, August 7, 2009 @ 3:57 pm
Claire always had a smile and that smile seemed to say “come on over, have a seat, lets talk”! Our “Little Red Schoolhouse” may have been small in square feet but was huge in heart and mind! I told a story on Facebook and I will re-tell it here….for me this shows how forward thinking Claire was and what fabulous opportunities we were given in that tiny little town and in that tiny little school.
Remembering Claire……….One of my most recalled memories from the ‘Little Red Schoolhouse’ was of learning German. Peggy Anderson would teach us. At one point we had an all German meal(at the Anderson’s house) that we helped Peggy pull together and then we sat down and enjoyed the meal. Well to be quite honest I only enjoyed the apple struesel and I don’t beleive I ate any other part of the meal or, if I did it was not memorable!(sorry Peggy!) Claire was forward thinking 40 years ago and to this day! Another standout memory was at the end of the year we would have a field trip to her home. Claire, Mac, Alice and Molly would open their homes to the students of the ‘Little Red Schoolhouse’ for a day of picnicing and games. And let us not forget the “Witch of WestWest”! Every halloween the ‘Witch” would watch over the ‘Little Red Schoolhouse’. I do believe even today that witch was able to ward off all the evil spirits that might have been lurking about!
A more recent memory was when her and Mac were moving from WestWest to Brattleboro. They had been cleaning out the attic and came across some of my schoolwork. I was working at the museum at the time and saw Claire frequently! She brought in the schoolwork for me. Claire always went above and beyond the call of duty. She will be missed by me and all who knew her!
After I posted this on FB Teja reminded me about Claire as the human pretzel and she mentioned it in her post too! Teja told about how we(the children) would cheer Claire on as she worked her pretzel magic. I was very happy that Teja reminded me of that as I had forgotten!
My thoughts to Mac, Alice, Molly et al!
By Amy Young Harlow, August 7, 2009 @ 5:56 pm
Todd Friedman Erin–I remember THAT song! (Though DON’T think I Especially; remember it from Claire’s! AND; there”ll NEVER; be another teacher like Claire! —-She was “one of a kind!” B.T.W. hadn’t heard of her illness(UNTIL; reading of her death!) SHE “WILL” BE MISSED
By Amy Young Harlow, August 7, 2009 @ 5:57 pm
Erin Hennessy Claire – I remember she had Marshall Arnold and Jeannie Westing and I off doing our own 3rd grade level reading group in 1st grade – teachers just aren’t that cool and encouraging these days (except You, Amy)…origami, “Good morning to you, good morning to you! We’re all in our places with sunshiney faces…” does anyone else remember that song? My heart is too full. All my love to Alice, Molly and Mac.
Susan M Daniels Claire… I remember she was the only teacher that kicked me out of school, ever. I punched Craig McCullock in the nose during a “kick the can” game and got sent home. I don’t think that taught me anything like it was supposed to. She was a wonderful person, tho’
By Mona Jones, August 11, 2009 @ 7:36 am
My daughter Marissa had Claire for only one year as that is the year she retired. Marissa truley liked Claire alot and I thought she was a great teacher. That is the first time my daughter has ever been out of the country, we went to Cananda that yr and had a blast and learned alot. Thank you Claire for taking such good care of our children when they were in your care. We will never forget you.
By Rebecka king" Thayer, August 13, 2009 @ 8:21 pm
Claire was my moms teacher and then mine. i loved claire as challenging as i am she always excepted me and always told me to be my self. she helped with my challenges and was very helpfull in not ever letting me give up. I remember when i left westminsterwest to move to brattleboro we went out for icecream at pages and then she came with me to visit my new school, i was so scared to be entering a new school, but claire helped me that day i was no longer scared , I never found a teacher like her. The last time i saw claire was at my wedding, she looked the same and it was great to see her, she was an insparation in my eyes and i will always remember what she said , always be you. I also remember when we had a chance in school to write a story and have it played on the radio station, she helped me alot with this and our class was chosen to be on the radio, she was so proud of us. Thankyou claire, forever in my heart. may god be with your family in theys sad times, but have faith, Claire will remain in all of us forever…….
By Teresita Santiago, August 15, 2009 @ 10:21 am
I just learned about Claire’s death and I’m feeling quite devastated since I was planning on visiting her last summer and couldn’t due to my father’s illness, so I feel some regret that I couldn’t see her before the inevitable. I will always remember Claire as a daring teacher who always tried to do the best for her students despite of any struggle the system got on her way. As a novice teacher myself when I met her she taught me to be strong and always believe that anything that I wanted to do for the benefit of my students was possible if I just tried hard. I did and have been able to do wonderful activities with my students ever since. We became friends and stayed in touch over the years which gave me the opportunity to learn her incredible views about life and teaching on how to respect different cultures so we can have a better world.
THANK YOU CLAIRE for coming to this world and touch our lives in such a wonderful way. God bless you and your family. Rest in peace my dear friend. I will always remember you. Love Teresita.
By Marguerite Dooley, August 15, 2009 @ 2:25 pm
I had the pleasure of having Claire as a teacher for her last year. Even after all of the years – I’m a sophomore in high school now – I have the best memories of Claire’s classroom. I’m still friends with many people who were in my class during her final year, and my best friend and I have been that close since the first day of first grade ’00!
Claire will be very missed by everyone she met throughout the years. I just wanted to thank her for everything she taught me, from cursive to composting :]
By Sheryl Fisher Miller, August 15, 2009 @ 6:29 pm
My college professor Leonard Johnson raved about Claire Oglesby. My mother spoke highly of her as well. It was just known that one of my student teaching experiences MUST be with Claire. Those eight weeks had a great effect on my teaching career. First and Grade in Claire’s classroom was as different from my own experiences as a student in those grades as night and day. In my day you stayed in your seat and you kept quiet unless spoken to. Working wherever you felt comfortable.Claire trusted all students to learn. She knew that kids were naturally curious and interested in the world around them and taught me that our job was to open things wide up, providing boundless opportunities. Reading in a bathtub? Doing your math pages under the piano? Young children actually using tools, and sharp ones at that in the classroom? Claire taught me that all students did not have to be on the same workbook page at the same time! What a concept! And there was much that could be learned that wasn’t in a book. And family involvement was a top priority. Her easy going, accepting ways paved the way for my own first classroom where I had very few and outdated materials. Thanks to Claire, I had a clue to work with what I had. Claire was always so interested in everyone, child and adult alike. She always looked forward to hearing how you were doing and was so proud of everyone’s accomplishments. Claire always had a running commentary on whatever was happening around her, and often as not had humorous as well as serious comments to make, but was always quite insightful. At the same time she was very encouraging and accepting of anyone willing to put their best foot forward. I always enjoyed running into Claire and chatting with her. I also had the pleasure of getting to know and work with Molly. Claire was clearly proud of her children and her grandchildren as well. My thoughts and prayers are with you as you go through the grieving process. Sheryl
By Martha Mitchell, August 16, 2009 @ 9:57 am
Claire almost always marched to her own drum, revealing different perspectives to all she encountered. May fond memories help ease our loss, especially for Mac, Molly, Alice, and their families. And may her willingness to try new ideas,and to keep learning and growing be emulated by us all.
By Mary Hepburn, August 17, 2009 @ 11:23 am
Claire touched many lives and her departure has left a chasm in the community. How fortunate we all were to have known her! She not only taught her pupils, but the parents and members of the community as well. She was a role model to us all and will be sorely missed. My deep sympathy goes out to Mac, Alice, Molly and families. May you all find comfort and support from the love of Claire’s devoted friends. With love, Mary
By Caitlin Cohen, August 18, 2009 @ 6:05 am
I read my first book with Claire looking over my shoulder. She was responsible for getting me on a plane for the first time in my life (to Puerto Rico) and for exposing me to new cultures and climates, even if they were just in our schoolhouse (India and the Rain Forest were high among them). She got me to try anything and not be afraid of failure. I have become defined by these interests: wanderlust, reading, and bouncing back from failures. Those early years are critical, and I cannot imagine where I would be without the education and personal mentorship that Claire provided. There is really no testament that we can leave for Claire other than to lead our lives with the integrity and adventurousness that she instilled in all of us. There is very little that is glamorous about leading a two-room rural schoolhouse, but the impact that Claire has had by being a springboard for us all is exceptional. She will be dearly missed, and my love goes out to all her family and friends.
By Carlene Raper, August 21, 2009 @ 7:17 am
When I moved to Westminster West village, I was excited about the school just down the street, and assumed that when I had kids, I’d get involved with that community and the wonderful Claire Ogelsby whom people raved about!
Well, I never did have kids, and it took me about 10 years to realize that NOT having children of my own was the best reason for me to be involved with the school. (duh!) For several years, then, I’d hang out in Claire’s classroom one morning a week, mostly reading with individual kids up in the loft. I was invited to, and participated in, other school activities, including the first trip to Puerto Rico.
The experience of Claire and all that surrounded her was profound for me. Her classroom gave me many joyous experiences, as well as thought-provoking and challenging ones. I also made strong connections with many of the children and parents, who help make WestWest what it is.
I kept wishing that I had grown up with Claire as a teacher, but I can only be immensely greatfull that I spent as much time with her as I did.
My love to all of “Claire’s Family”. Carlene
By Lori Daniels, August 22, 2009 @ 2:45 pm
Claire, I imagine you watching over all the world’s children now!
By Priscilla Tansley, August 23, 2009 @ 8:23 am
Yesterday’s memorial service helped me to rekindle some memories of Claire. When we had bought a house in Westminster West,(one that Claire had tried to help someone else to get) I had assumed that she would be my son’s teacher. She started making noise about retiring when he was still in preschool and so I never missed an opportunity when I saw her in public, to plead with her to stay just a few more years, so that he could have her as a teacher. And stay she did, so he was blessed to have her as a teacher for one of her last years teaching. I was remembering how she had called me soon after school had started, to tell me that my son, who was already an avid reader, read very well, but had absolutely no comprehension of what he was reading. Now, I knew immediately that this was not so, as we read a lot of “Calvin and Hobbes” together and despite Calvin’s enormously advanced vocabulary, my son always laughed in all the right places. It was time for some parental sleuthing. I asked Claire what the circumstances were during the reading assessment and she told me that it took place while all the other kids were out for a recess. Although Claire was brilliant in knowing the minds of children, she didn’t realize that my child Kyle, would not spend one minute doing some reading assessment if everyone else was out having fun. He basically wasn’t giving her the time of day, in hopes of getting out to play with his friends as soon as possible. She retested him again under different circumstances and realized his comprehension was very good.
I woke this morning, trying to think of a good way to memorialize Claire at the school and I decided that a large “thinking stone” would be a perfect thing. Claire was always urging kids to think about things. It would be a place kids could go to sit and think or read and of course to run up and jump off of. A stone would be there forever, a perfect thing to commemorate a teacher who probably would have stayed to teach there forever, if she could have.
By Tony Moss, September 2, 2009 @ 9:23 am
It was my privilege to know Claire in a brief but wide range of contexts mainly arising from my membership of the North American Sundial Society. I stayed with Claire and Mac in the early days of their new home in Brattleboro where I saw her as loving wife, kind hostess and also as ‘the teacher every parent wants for their kids’ as observed at first hand.
Mac and Claire spent several ‘holiday’ days in my Northumberland/England home. While Mac and I made a sundial in my workshop Claire spent every available hour in the reception class of our local first school where she quickly became a very welcome addition to the teaching force. Our subsequent holiday together in Scotland, for which Claire had a special affection, rounded off a harmonious and memorable visit.
The Sundial Society brought us together one more time at the Washington Conference where I saw Claire happily involved with adoring grandchildren before the onset of the illness that took her from us. Twenty years ago my wife Mary was the dedicated reception teacher in the same classroom Claire enjoyed and her sad ending was much the same so this is doubly sad for me.
Bedlington,
Northumberland
England
By Laura, September 16, 2009 @ 10:40 am
I just heard of Claire’s passing and wanted to send along my condolences. She was one of the first people I met when I started working at Antioch and she was just lovely. Her commitment to children, her energy for continued effort to improve schools and her love for education in general were amazing. I will miss her.
By Amanda Parks, February 5, 2010 @ 8:53 am
Claire was my teacher for first grade 1975-1976 in the little one room school house. I remember she drove a VW Bug she loved. We lived up the hill and would walk to school through the woods. I remember loving going to school. I remember Claire’s patience. She made learning fun and launched an appreciation and interest in learning in me that has never died. Its lovely to read all of the above and to realize how special Claire was. How fortunate my older sister and I were to have begun school being taught by her.
I remember Hannah Butler, Timmy, Adam, Poom, Jonny, Anne-Marie were also in my class. I moved away from West Minister West and Vermont that summer with my family but remember Claire, the one room schoolhouse and Claire’s VW bug clear as day. Peace.
By Mary Hepburn, February 5, 2010 @ 3:38 pm
Happy Birthday Claire! You live on in our hearts and your light still shines on the many people who benefited from your positive influence. Thank you for being a part of our lives.
By toby young, February 5, 2010 @ 8:28 pm
I had a strange sense of Claire’s presence today without knowing it was her birthday. Driving my car to Londonderry I was overcome with a feeling of sadness and missing Claire. There is more in this world than we see or know. How lucky for all of us, but especially for you, her family, to have had her presence in our lives and the lives of so many children. Toby Young
By Elaine Emmi, February 6, 2010 @ 9:34 am
Birthday wishes to Claire and wonderful wishes to Claire’s family and friends around the world!