Claire A. Stank, 79, of Lancaster, died peacefully Friday, January 22, 2010 at her home, surrounded by her family.  Claire was the wife of 1, mother of 8, grandmother of 14, sister of 2, and friend to all. Born in Columbia, Claire was the daughter of the late Joseph W. and Hilda Sarah (Collier) Yentzer.  She was married for 43 years to the late John P. Stank, who died in 1995.

Claire was a devoted wife and mother, and a 1948 graduate of Lancaster Catholic High School. She was a devout Catholic and a member of St. Leo the Great Catholic Church, where she served as an usher for many years.

Even though she worked outside the home, she stated "Being a mother was the best job I ever had."  She was extremely proud of her children and grandchildren, who called her "Boopie", and she was eagerly anticipating the arrival of another grandchild and a great grandchild.

Claire was an avid traveler, and on a church-sponsored trip to Italy, she was close enough to Pope John Paul II to reach out and touch him. She shared many wonderful days and nights with her family at their vacation home on Penn's Creek in Union County.

For 60 years, she was in the same card club with a group of close friends from high school. For the last decade, she was a member of the Hempfield Recreation Center, where she enjoyed her exercise classes and the friends she made there.

Surviving Claire are her children, Barbara J. Stank, wife of William R. Simpson, of Lancaster, Claire M. Clunan of Lancaster, Christine M. Peppers of Lancaster, Lisa A. Zimmerman of Lancaster, Julie A., wife of Michael Z. Abel of Lancaster, John P. Stank, Jr., of Lancaster,  Geoffrey T. Stankiewicz, husband of Dr. Mary F. Kegel, of Lancaster, and Joseph A. Stankiewicz of Mount Joy, 14 grandchildren, and sister, Gene M. Schacht of Lancaster.  In addition to her husband and parents, Claire was preceded in death by a brother, Joseph W. Yentzer, Jr.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the Mass of Christian Burial at St. Leo the Great Catholic Church, 2427 Marietta Ave., Lancaster, PA 17601 on Tuesday, January 26, 2010 at 11 AM with Rev. S. T. Antony Raja as Celebrant.  A Viewing will be held at Charles F. Snyder Jr. Funeral Home and Chapel, 3110 Lititz Pike, Lititz, PA 17543 on Monday, January 25 from 6 until 8 PM.  The Holy Rosary will be recited at 7:45 PM.  Interment will be in Holy Trinity Catholic Cemetery, Columbia, PA.  Please omit flowers.  Contributions may be made in Claire's memory to St. Leo the Great Catholic Church at the above address.  To send an online condolence, please visit SnyderFuneralHome.com.