Claire D. Verna

Claire D. Verna, 87, of Glen Mills, PA, formerly of West Chester, died suddenly and peacefully on Wednesday afternoon, September 30, 2026. We are grateful she was in the expert and exceptionally kind care of the dedicated doctors and nurses at Penn Medicine Radnor and the Bryn Mawr Hospital Emergency Department.

Claire’s deepest wish was fulfilled on that autumn afternoon. She and her beloved husband of 64 years, Charles W. Verna, were instantly reunited in the presence of God. Nothing was more important to Claire than her love of God, the Blessed Mother, and her family and friends.

Born January 17, 1939 in Philadelphia, PA, she was the devoted daughter of the late Edward G. and Claire (nee Harrington) McGinnis; loving mother of Diane Claire Farley (Wilbur “Bill”), Charles (“Chuck”) E. Verna (Renee), and Brian C. Verna; adoring grandmother of Alexandra Mancuso (Sara), Matthew Farley (Laura), Andrew Verna (Agata), and Michael Farley (Taylor); proud great-grandmother of Isabella & Joey Mancuso; Henry Farley; and Faye & June Farley; and dear sister of Dr. Gerri McGinnis, Marilyn McGinnis Perti , and Edward McGinnis. Claire loved her sister-in-law Carolyn D. Feindt (the late Harry “Buddy”); all of her nieces and nephews; and friends, old and new.

Claire attended St. Barnabas Grade School in Philadelphia and West Philadelphia Catholic High School for Girls. She enjoyed reminding people that she was a “Southwest Philly Girl” who could always keep up with the boys and stand up for herself. As a young girl, she was a Yo-Yo champion and won many competitions at the local movie theater. After high school graduation, she worked at Westinghouse as an accomplished secretary.

On November 21, 1959, Claire met Charlie at a school dance and they married on June 17, 1961. She spent the coming years taking care of Diane, Chuck, and Brian; supporting Charlie who often taught night school in addition to his career in the chemical tank truck industry; and working hard to make a great home for the Verna family.

Claire completed courses at Our Lady of Angels College (now Neumann University), Penn State, and Immaculata University. She was only a handful of credits away from a bachelor’s degree. She earned paralegal certification and worked very diligently in several law offices. Eventually Claire traded the law office for the box office and ended her career at The Playhouse (also called The DuPont Theatre) located in the Hotel du Pont in Wilmington, DE. Of all her jobs, Claire had the most fun at The Playhouse with her co-worker friends and customers, not to mention seeing stage and screen stars walking the halls.

Claire was very creative and artistic, with an eye for beauty in great and small things. She marveled at mountains, oceans, and clouds; she reveled in flowers, butterflies, and a baby’s hand. Claire could draw, paint, sculpt, take exceptional photos, play the piano, and write poems and stories. And she could bake – oh could she bake! If you were one of the many recipients of her cookies and treats, you know.

Claire loved meeting new people, talking to everyone she encountered, and delivering those now famous cookies. But most of all, as one of her friends described: It wasn’t just the cookies–it was the person. Claire reached out to people. She especially sought out people who were in need, who were overlooked, lonely–and she pulled them in.

Claire pulled all of us in―to her magnificent heart.

Relatives and friends are invited to her Visitation 10:30-11:30 AM Friday, October 9, 2026 at SS Simon & Jude Church, 8 Cavanaugh Court, West Chester, PA 19382, followed by her Funeral Mass at 11:30 AM. All are welcome to celebrate Claire at the Springfield Country Club immediately following Mass. Interment is private.

At Claire’s request, donations to St. Jude Research Hospital for Children would be welcome: https://www.stjude.org To send flowers or plant a memorial tree in memory, please visit our flower store.