Claire Kathleen Bugado, 76, Community Leader

Longtime Poway resident Claire Kathleen Bugado passed peacefully at home surrounded by family on Saturday, July 2, at the age of 76.

She will be remembered by all who knew her as a loving, caring woman whose presence made the world a joyous place. Her warm heart and love of life were an inspiration to all who knew her.

While Claire’s primary focus has always been on family and friends, many Poway residents will remember her for her community involvement starting when she arrived in town in 1972. She supported her children by being active in Little League and as president of the PTA. She served as a Eucharistic Minister at her church and owned a tax preparation service.

Claire participated in local politics, including organizing a rally against SDG&E’s rate hikes in the '80s, contributing to the incorporation of Poway and successfully managing the campaigns for two City Council candidates. She was a proud member of the Soroptimist International and actively participated in such programs as the fight against human trafficking, transitional housing for battered and abused women, and aid to Abraxas High School. Even in her final days, she was creating jewelry to raise funds in her fight against human trafficking.

Claire was born November 4, 1934, in Merrimack, NH. She is the first of five children born to Victor and Estelle Houle.

She is survived by her husband, John; four children; nine grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and four siblings and their families.

Funeral mass will be held at on Wednesday, July 13, at 10:30 a.m. followed by interment at Mission San Luis Rey in Oceanside.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her honor to Soroptimist International of St. Gabriel Catholic Church of Poway.

–Submitted by the Bugado family