Clair Lisker

March 15, 1926 - March 29, 2021

Clair Patricia O’Sullivan Lisker, a pioneering figure in nursing education and the Kaiser Permanente health care system, died March 29 at age 95. She passed away at the Kaiser Oakland Medical Center, where she had dedicated most of her 43-year career as a nursing educator and executive. A strong proponent of managed, prepaid health care, Clair believed nurses and others should be critical thinkers who treat every patient with kindness and compassion.

Clair’s journey began in Kilfinane, County Limerick, Ireland, where she was born to Robert and Nora O’Sullivan. She pointed to “The Chemical History of a Candle,” by Michael Faraday, as an inspiration for her interest in the sciences. Eager to expand her horizons, Clair was just 17 when she left Ireland to study nursing at London’s Royal Northern Hospital.

It was the height of World War II and Clair sheltered in the Underground during Nazi bombing raids. Moving to California in 1947, she joined the second class of students at the Kaiser Foundation School of Nursing in Oakland, and almost immediately became an instructor after graduating. She earned her B.S.N. and M.S. at San Francisco State University and UCSF, respectively. She went on to become associate director at the nursing school until its closure in 1976. From 1976 until her retirement in 1991, Clair served as assistant and chief executive nurse at the Oakland hospital. Throughout her career, she held students and nurses alike to the highest standards while teaching through example. In retirement, she remained active in the nursing school’s alumni association and efforts to create a new nursing school at Kaiser Permanente. Her story is documented by The Bancroft Library’s Oral History Center.

A longtime Berkeley resident, Clair was a pint-sized woman and a force of nature. She was renowned for her delicious cooking and peppery political opinions. Dinner guests were typically treated to four-course meals culminating with one (or more) of Clair’s signature desserts. She regularly knit elaborate sweaters for her grandchildren, greatgrandchildren, and other youngsters.

Clair was a gifted seamstress, enthusiastic gardener, avid reader, and dog whisperer. She celebrated the election of President Barack Obama and the defeat of Donald Trump. She was endlessly curious about life.

Clair was preceded in death in 2011 by Fred M. Lisker, her husband of 58 years; and her siblings, Martha Horne of Kensington, Thomas of Cork, and Noel of Kilfinane. Survivors include her children, Wesley (Abby) and Susan Patmont (Jim); grandchildren, Oriana Bosin (Zach), Jeffrey Patmont (Zizi), Emily Lisker (Curtis Hayden), Danny Patmont (Katy Galambos), Stevie Patmont (Alyse Terschuren), and Sarah Lisker (Nick James); and great-grandchildren, Claire, Jamie, and Jack Patmont and Griffin and Cameron Bosin; and many nieces and nephews. She will be greatly missed by her entire extended family and a wide network of adoring friends, neighbors, and colleagues.

Special thanks to Abbie Habtegeorgis and Dr. Mary Patton for taking exceptional care of Clair in her later years. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Kaiser Foundation School of Nursing Alumni Association Scholarship Fund, 2372 Westcliffe Lane, Walnut Creek, CA 94597.