Claire E. Dennard

Our beloved mother and grandmother, Claire Zeiher Dennard, went peacefully to be with her Heavenly Father comforted by the love of her family and friends on September 23, 2006 at Hospice of East Texas after a long illness. Claire was born March 4, 1925 in Pittsburg, PA. She will be remembered for her love of family, many cherished friends, music, Dallas Cowboys football, her home and the outdoors. She was passionate about her volunteer work with Hideaway Lake Community Church, Medical City Hospital in Dallas, and the UTHC at Tyler Library. Her favorite pastimes were playing card games, meeting new friends, having fun and finding a bargain. She cared about people and never met a stranger. The thing that was most important to her was being a mother, whether it was her own children, foster children, or being there for one in need. Claire lived in Dallas from 1956 until 1977 and was avidly involved in Garden Clubs in the area and planted most of the trees that line the streets of the North Dallas area. She and her husband, Eric "Dick" Dennard retired to Hideaway Lake where they enjoyed playing bridge, 42, fishing, and the company of their friends and family for nearly 30 years. She was always the life of the party. Claire will be most remembered for her inner strength, integrity and selfless love of people., A devoted wife, mother, daughter, and sister, we are proud to have learned so much for her precious life. Claire is preceded in death by her parents, 3 brothers, 1 sister, 1 stepson, Eric Dennard, Jr. and 2 adoring husbands, Walter Dean Zeiher and Eric Noble Dennard. She is survived by her daughter, Laura Zeiher of Hideaway, Texas; son, Eric Zeiher and his wife, Lisa of Parker, CO; Stepdaughter, Kay Fryer and husband Bill of Austin, Texas; 2 Granddaughters, Nicole Hammond of Concord, MA and Elizabeth Fryer of Houston, Texas; and many cherished friends. Family and friends are invited to attend Visitation at Caudle-Rutledge Funeral Home in Lindale from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Friday, September 29, 2006. A celebration of Claire's life will be held at Hideaway Lake Community Church at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, September 30, 2006 and a Graveside Service will follow at the Sparkman-Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery in Dallas at 4:00 P.M. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of East Texas, 4111 University Blvd., Tyler, Texas 75701.