Claire Peters

Claire Peters, 96, a Bainbridge Island resident since 1934, died May 25 at Messenger House Care Center.

She was born Feb. 26, 1909, in Taft, British Columbia, the daughter of Fred and Floy (Welch) Taft. Shortly after her birth, the family moved to Spokane and then to Seattle, where she lived on Queen Anne Hill and attended Queen Anne High School, graduating with the class of 1925.

She met Laurance Peters while attending the University of Washington. In 1932 they were married in Paris, France.

They moved to Bainbridge Island in 1934, and were co-owners of the Bainbridge Island Review newspaper with the Woodward family.

From 1960 to 1970, she taught freshman English at Bainbridge Island High School. She loved to play piano or accordion in the Clam Chowder Marching Band.

Her husband died in 1963, and after a long courtship, she married Hall Johnson in 1975. They lived in Sequim, where they enjoyed golfing, gardening and getting together with friends.

After Hall’s death, Claire returned to the island in 1995 and lived at Winslow Green and Wyatt House.

She is survived by daughters Sandra Whalen of Santa Cruz, Calif., and Sonya Marinoni of Bainbridge Island; four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Memorial services will be at 1 p.m. June 30 at Eagle Harbor Congregational Church. Remembrances can be made to Helpline House.

Arrangements are under the direction of Kass Funeral Home.