Claire Aileen Powers was born Claire Aileen Burdulis on August 16, 1944 in Seattle, WA at Virginia Mason Hospital to Helen (Jenkins) Burdulis and John Burdulis. Claire was the 4th child in the family. She had two older brothers, half-brother John, and brother Roy. She has one older sister Dorothy (Dodie). Claire's younger siblings, in order of age, are Donald, Shirley, and Janice.

The family lived in the Bellevue/Renton area of Washington but, for a short time, Claire did live with her Grandma, Edith Jenkins, on her farm in Moses Lake, WA. While in Moses Lake, Claire built a special relationship with her cousins Arlene and Elaine, who also lived with Grandma, and they remained close. Claire was also close with her cousins Chris, Barbara, and Jeff.

Claire graduated from Sammamish High School in 1963 and went on to attend, and graduated from, Cosmetology School. Claire was a hard worker and performed many different jobs in her life. At one time, she drove school bus, then, worked at Pacific Car and Foundry. At heart Claire was a "people" person and finally ended up selling jewelry. She spent quite a few years managing a jewelry store. Claire was very proud of her accomplishments in her sales career. She was often recognized for her excellent customer service, and had a reputation for connecting and caring for customers. Later in her jewelry sales career, Claire volunteered to take correspondence courses in Colored Gemstone's and Diamontology. After completing these courses, she was recognized for excellence in initiative and furthering her education/training.

Claire loved her crafts. She dabbled in many forms of crafts. Claire loved wood working, sewing, and knitting. However, her best skill, and true unique gift, was her heart shaped crocheted rugs. Claire won several ribbons at the Evergreen State Fair for her rugs and anyone who was close to Claire probably has one or more of these wonderful rugs on the floor of their home today. They are warm, beautiful, and quite durable, a true reflection of Claire's character.

If you spent much time with Claire, you know that she was happiest when she was with her family or friends on the water. Claire loved the summer and truly loved being on, in, or near the water. She, and her husband Bill Powers, owned a boat and spent many wonderful days out fishing, crabbing, or just enjoying life. She and Bill truly loved their outings with her friends Dan and Lani, her sister Shirley and husband Steve, and her cousin Jeff and wife Linda. Claire, and Jeff reminisced together by making a road trip to Moses Lake and swimming in the same irrigation ditch they swam in as kids. They both loved the nostalgia of that moment and she reflected on it often.

Claire was an excellent swimmer and a natural athlete. She spent many years playing women's soft ball in the Renton City League, one of her teams was the Renton Dodge Darlings. Claire played the rover position and was voted as an All Star. Claire went on to serve as Vice President of the League for a short time.

Claire was very natural with people, young and old. She loved her family, son-Steven and wife Kathy, daughter-Monti and husband Steve, step daughter - Teresa and husband Steve, with all her heart. She truly enjoyed spending time with her son in law, Steve Blazevich. But even friends of her children always knew they could find warm arms, reassuring words, and true expressed love from Claire. She made every kid around feel a little like her own.

Claire and Bill Powers found each other at life's mid-point and they truly loved each other. When Bill passed away very unexpectedly, Claire was heartbroken and it took a great deal of effort and resilience to recover from such a loss in her life.

As Claire worked through her loss, she found a great deal of pleasure and strength in her grandchildren. Claire was very close to her grandsons, Anthony, Stephen, Zackary, and Joseph. She took so much pride and enjoyment out of watching them, and participating with them, as they played and performed. She would often travel to watch her grandsons play football, basketball, and star in school plays. All of Claire's grandsons were close to her and loved her very much. She always traveled with a deck of cards and some dice to grab a quick game with the grandsons.

Claire had wonderful relationships with her nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was very close to her nephews Tanner, Nathan, and Sean. She loved her nieces, Mary Lou, Lisa, and Kevaney too. Claire was a true connector and had such an amazing ability to maintain relationships with all her extended family and friends, who never doubted how much she loved and cared for them. She was known to many of her cousin's children, Rich, Mike, David, Darian, Todd, Scott and Tracy as "Aunt Claire".

Claire drew a great deal of confidence and strength from her relationship with her Mother, Helen Leek. Claire and her Mother spoke every day. The two had a routine to talk on the phone when Claire left work and they spoke until Claire lost signal near the "Roy junction". Claire loved her Mother very much.

All Claire's life was spent as a doer. She absolutely hated standing on the sidelines. Claire wanted to participate and be a part of everything. Whether it was baseball, fishing, swimming, boating, helping out with her Grandson's football team, going white water rafting with her family, or just enjoying the warmth of a sturdy bon fire she loved it best when she was in the middle of the action.

She loved, and was loved, by everyone around her and will be deeply missed by all.