Edith Claiborne

Ruth Edith (Edie) Claiborne, 91, passed away peacefully on July 31st in the presence of family. Funeral Service will be 10:00 am Monday, August 8, 2016 at Hamilton’s, 3601 Westown Parkway. Burial will follow at Resthaven Cemetery. The family will receive friends Sunday 4 – 7 pm at Hamilton’s Westown Parkway.

Edie was born in Des Moines on June 11th, 1925 to Charles Iowa and Ruth (Reite) Colby. She is preceded in death by husband Fred, son Fred Jr., father Charles, mother Ruth, brother Charles and sister Carol. She is survived by sons Charles (Linda), Clay (Sue Ellen), Cary (Tammy), Berk, daughter Ruth (Willie), 18 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, brother Clark (Marilyn) and brother-in-law Lloyd Clarke.

Edie attended Des Moines schools and graduated from Roosevelt High School, where she made many lifelong friends and met Fred Claiborne. She married Fred in 1944 while he was on leave from the Navy in WWII. After having three children in Des Moines, the couple moved to Texas in search of warm weather and new opportunities. With their family growing to six children total, the Claibornes spent many days at their pink beach house and enjoyed frequent family vacations; Padre Island, Mexico, Central and Western Texas. Edie and Fred loved travelling, Hawaii, Jamaica, Florida, Canada were a few of their favorite locations.

After moving to La Jolla, California, Edie’s husband Fred passed away at age 51. In order to provide for her family, Edie worked her way up to catering manager at North Island Naval Air base on Coronado Island. Hosting a reception for Prince Charles for 500 guests as well as overseeing as many as 16 weddings in one weekend. She continued these skills entertaining for family and friends in grand style. Eventually, Edie moved her children back to Des Moines to be closer to family and friends. Possessing a natural talent for meeting people and creating lasting relationships, she became a successful Realtor. Using her Real Estate skills, she assisted to manage and grow her family's business as a Trustee of Colby Interests.

Edie loved art, music, good conversation, great food, a good party, making everyone feel included, blue pottery, pink houses, red cars/lipstick/nail polish, but most of all she loved her family and friends. She truly cared about others and was endearingly direct, resilient and strong.

Special thanks to the staff at Arbor Springs and especially to long-term caregiver Jane Abdahallah, who helped make the final years of our mother’s life comfortable and joyful.

In lieu of flowers a donation can be made to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Online condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

Print