Death Notices Kohrman, Claire Adele
Dr. Claire Adele Kohrman (nee Hoffenberg) died February 19, 2024 in Scotch Plains, New Jersey. Born July 27, 1936 in Chicago, Illinois to Nathaline and Bernard Hoffenberg, she grew up in Hyde Park with her younger sister, Sherry VanAmburg. She attended the University of Chicago Lab School (Class of 1952) and the University of Chicago where she first met Arthur Kohrman. They quickly fell in love. As young as they were, it was clear that they had each found their partner for life. They began a 65-year partnership that was full of trips around the world as well as to the Chicago Symphony, the theater and a booth at Pizzeria Uno. Married in 1955, they built a life together that focused on family, friends, music, food, travel, literature, art, the Chicago Cubs (rain or shine), the MSU Spartans, and a love for long conversations late at night. They raised four children - Deborah, Ben, Ellen and Rachel - across Cleveland, OH, Ecardenville, France, Palo Alto, CA, East Lansing, MI, Berkeley, CA and Chicago, IL. All along the way, Claire collected and cultivated deep friendships that she deeply treasured. Claire was known throughout her life to drop everything and pick up the phone in the middle of dinner or pour a cup of strong coffee for a friend or colleague in need of comfort or conversation; the people in her life meant the world to her.
Many of these friendships grew from Claire’s professional life. Endlessly curious with a natural gift for listening and interviewing, she found her way to sociology, inspired by important mentors and colleagues. While raising four children, she earned her masters degree and PhD from Michigan State University, later writing two books about health policy when she returned to the University of Chicago. Her thoughtful, measured observations and insights were sought after by family and colleagues alike. Claire was a powerful writer, thinker and teacher; among her favorite roles were as a community researcher at Chicago’s Westside Health Authority for 20 years, a beloved mentor with the Schweitzer Fellowship, and co-teacher of a community medicine course with Arthur, her husband and life-long colleague.
Wherever Claire went, she was a magnetic center. She could create a perfect family picnic out of the back of her beloved VW bus, or serve fifty loved ones from her kitchen for Thanksgiving. Feeding people and creating opportunities for them to connect gave her great joy. Claire thrived as a true matriarch, happily observing all the people she loved so dearly gathered around a table. This was especially true for her children and grandchildren. She was incredibly proud of each of her eight grandchildren and took every opportunity to visit, attend games and concerts, have their favorite soup at the ready during treasured time together, check in over the phone (and text!) and give her love unconditionally.
In the final years of her life, Claire moved to Bass Harbor, ME and shared the beauty of Mount Desert Island with the many family and friends who visited her. A lifelong learner, Claire was a valued addition to several groups of friends who discussed poetry, literature, the Torah, politics and life experiences on Zoom or in her living room. She once again created and nurtured deep connections to new friends in her community.
Claire is preceded in death by her husband, Arthur Kohrman, daughter Deborah Kohrman and sister, Sherry VanAmburg. She is survived by her children Ben (Melissa Riba) Kohrman, Ellen (Mark) Lancaster, Rachel (Reinaldo Ramos) Kohrman Ramos, Paul Dion and grandchildren Noah Dion, Sarah Dion, Leah Lancaster, Mack (Jessica) Lancaster, Marie Kohrman, Eliza Ramos, Lilah Kohrman, Julia Ramos, niece and nephew, Karen Gregoire and Pete Tompson, and many cousins and friends who became like family. In remembrance of Claire, we encourage you to donate to the Westside Health Authority’s Every Block a Village Community Center at 5835 West Augusta Blvd. Chicago, IL 60651. A memorial service will be held in Chicago at that address on May 18, 2024 from 1:30 - 4:00 pm, with the service at 2:00 and repast afterwards.