Claire Agnes (Kistner) Grumbly died on October 30, 2016 at Goodwin House in Falls Church Virginia, five days short of her 92nd birthday. Claire is survived by her sister, Dorothy Penrose; her two children, Tom, and Claire (Cafarella); four grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Claire was born on November 4, 1924 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in to a strong family of six children. Her parents were Edward C. Kistner, a master plumber, and Clara Winkler, whom Claire described as the best model of a mother one could have. Claire grew up in the Great Depression but spent joyous childhood years in South Philly. She graduated in 1943 from Halihan Catholic High School. She lied about her age but could type very fast, and quickly got a job as a clerk typist in the Department of the Army. There she met the love of her life, then Capt. Paul Grumbly. She found the second love of her life, football, on her first date with Paul at the 1944 Penn-Michigan game. After World War II, Claire and Paul came to Washington DC and they married in 1948. Claire knew the meaning of "in sickness and in health" as she cared for Paul through many serious illnesses until his death in 1982. She spent the next 34 years working for the Department of the Army in Bailey's Crossroads, Virginia as an administrative assistant and transportation analyst. She also attended Redskins games for nearly forty years, capping her career at the age of 88. Hail to the Redskins (unless they were playing the Philadelphia "Iggles"). She was very active in St. Michael's church, and in her civic association, where she was still secretary at 90. Perhaps most importantly, Claire loved life and hated pretense. A gathering for Claire will be at Demaine Funeral Home in Springfield, Virginia on November 6, 2016 from 6 to 8 p.m. A funeral Mass will be celebrated on November 7, 2016 at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Annandale, Virginia at 10 a.m., followed by internment at the National Memorial Park in Falls Church. Donations may be made to the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, 1663 Bristol Pike, Bensalem, Pennsylvania.
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