Claire Virginia Sode

Claire Virginia Sode, of Rogers born July 24, 1934, died August 28, 2020, of natural causes (not due to COVID-19). Born in the family home in Norwood, Pa., she was the third child of Clarence B. Sode and Janet Elizabeth Kasley Sode. Claire was preceded in death by both her parents; her oldest sister, Norma Alice Sode Wagner; brothers-in-law, Arthur Wagner, George L. Broshuis, and Frederick A. Dotts. She is survived by her siblings, Joan Broshuis, David Sode (Rosalie), Carol Dotts, and Jean Gooding (James); as well as many nieces and nephews. She became the legal guardian, great-aunt and "Mom" to her great-nephew, Jeremy Broshuis. Claire's education began in the Prospect Park, Pa., school system and she graduated from their High School in 1952. She worked for Westinghouse Corporation while attending night school before attending Westminster College in Mercer, Pa., graduating with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. Moving to Overland Park, Kan., with her family she accepted a position as a professional Girl Scout in the Pittsburg, Kan., Area Council. When her family moved to Rogers, Ark., Claire was in the midst of applying for and accepting a position as a Missionary with the Presbyterian Church to teach English as a second language at a girl's school in Cairo, Egypt. Returning to Rogers, Ark., she attended the University of Arkansas to obtain a Master's Degree in English, obtained her teaching certification and taught in the Rogers School System High School English for the next 35-40 years. Being a lifelong and involved Presbyterian, Claire served as the Clerk of Session for the First Presbyterian Church of Rogers for 20 years. Claire's request, in lieu of flowers or mementos, is donations be made to the Presbyterian Mission Fund c/o First Presbyterian Church, 1901 So. 26th Street, Rogers, Ark., 72758. Condolences are on the Westfield Chapel website: www.westfieldchapel.com