Claire Joanne Huff was a long-time member of the VFSS, host of many years of board meetings, conscientious treasurer, and source of a range of traditional and sometimes slightly subversive songs at our retreats, song circles, and open stages. She passed away on July 27 with her children by her side. Her husband Jerry was a professional artist and used her face as the inspiration for the logo we used on a batch of our membership cards and still appears on our Welcome Desk sign.
Here is her story recounted by her family.
Claire was born on July 18, 1933 in Washington State, and lived in Anacortes, Seattle, Honolulu, and Calgary before finally settling in Vancouver with her husband Jerry in 1981.
Claire worked professionally as a legal secretary, but her greater contribution was as a wife, mother and community volunteer. She was an activist, an amateur writer, a folk music enthusiast and the backbone of every group that was lucky enough to have her as a member.
She loved art (literally, she married an artist) movies, politics, books, coffee, conversation, travel, and most of all, music. She was passionate about her involvement with the Vancouver Folk Song Society, serving on the Board as its treasurer and attending many of its retreats. Claire had the most amazing memory for song lyrics and guitar accompaniment. She could pull off a song she hadn’t sung for 30 years. Her renditions of “The Housewife’s Lament, “In Tarry Town,” “Wandering,” or “ I Never Will Marry” were unmatchable. Loved by all, she was a VFSS icon and for some years her profile was on the VFSS logo.
Her love for music continued until the end of her life. She joined her last choir at 91, and was still the best harmonizer in the group.
Remaining to carry on the Claire Huff legacy are her children Daryl, Larry and Sharon; grandchildren Sean, Noel, Mary, Nick, Alexis, and Tom; and great grandchildren Kaylee and Wyatt. Besides her siblings, she was preceded in death by her husband of almost seventy years, Jerry.
There will be a private memorial for Claire at the family home at 8489 Nanaimo St., Vancouver. We will be meeting at Mom’s house around 2:30 pm on September 13, and sharing memories (and hopefully a song or two) around 3 pm All are welcome. Anyone wishing to attend, or receive the Zoom link please contact Claire’s daughter, Sharon, at s.y.huff@gmail.com. (or people can just show up).