Sympathies to the Avina family

My thoughts and prayers are with Jack Avina and family on the passing of his wife Claire. Her kind heart and strong spirit will be missed.

Frances Claire Avina

Avina, Frances Claire 77 08/23/1933 09/21/2010 Frances Claire was born in Los Angeles and raised in San Francisco, where she graduated from Lowell High School. Claire attended San Jose State University, where she met her future husband, Jack Avina. Together they shared a life of adventure that included raising their six children, first in the Bay Area and later in Portland. Together Jack, Claire, and the kids built their home in the lovely hills of Northwest Portland. Many happy celebrations filled Claire's life including long stints living abroad, family camping trips, singing in the morning, dancing with Jack to Frank Sinatra hits, and many exciting sporting events. Always a shining star, Claire embraced every moment of her life. Her vibrant spirit and bounty of energy carried her to her final day with us. Claire leaves behind her loving husband of 57 years, Jack; six children; 13 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. A rosary will be recited for her at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 24, 2010, in Skyline Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, Portland. A funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 25, in St. Birgitta Catholic Church, Linnton. The family requests, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Doctors without Borders in Claire's name.