GWYNEDD, Penn. – Claire Louise (Judd) Bauder, 86, passed on June 14 at Foulkeways Retirement Community in Gwynedd, Penn.
She was married for 50 years to the Reverend Colonel Richard K. Bauder, until his passing in 2000. For most of their marriage, they resided in Philadelphia, and then in Oquossoc, Maine.
Claire was the youngest of 10 children, spending her early childhood on the family farm in Wassergass, PA. After the family moved to Hellertown, PA, Claire met Richard in high school and they married in 1950. In 1959, Rich & Claire moved to Philadelphia where Rich served as Rector at Grace Episcopal Church in Mt. Airy for 30 years.
She was a caring and loving partner to Rich; a devoted mother to her four boys and a proud grandmother to her three grandchildren. She was a talented quilter, sang in the choir and was a wonderful baker; especially known for her wet bottom Shoo-Fly Pie – a true testament to her Pennsylvania Dutch heritage. She also worked as secretary at Grace Church and for many years at Beech Advertising in Philadelphia.
In 1990, after years of summering at their Maine cabin on Rangeley Lake, Rich & Claire “retired” there. She had a busy life in Maine, volunteering at the Church of the Good Shepherd – with the choir, quilting group, Ladies Breakfast Group, and ECW society. Rich & Claire enjoyed hiking and cross country skiing in the winter, and cruises on Rangeley Lake with their pontoon boat, The Colonel’s Lady, welcoming frequent visits from family & friends. After Rich’s passing, Claire remained in Maine until 2006, when she moved to Foulkeways to be closer to family, while still enjoying summer visits to Maine.
She is survived by her sons Richard J. Bauder and his wife Sandie, Bruce Bauder and his wife Sally, Todd Bauder, and Tim Bauder and his wife Laura; and grandchildren, William Bauder and his wife Laura, Kathryn Bauder and Natalie Bauder.
Tributes and condolences may be shared by visiting www.wilesrc.com.
A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, June 28 at 11 a.m. at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Rangeley Maine. Private interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery. Following services all are invited to a comfort reception hosted by the ECW in the church undercroft. A Memorial Service will be held at a later date at Trinity Episcopal Church in Ambler, PA. In lieu of flowers, donations in Claire’s name may be made to: The Salvation Army Northern New England Division, PO Box 3647 Portland, ME 04104. Claire believed in their good work and was a longtime contributor. Arrangements are in the care of Wiles Remembrance Center, 137 Farmington Falls Rd., Farmington, ME 04938.
