Claire Spreckels Brey Obituary

Claire Spreckels Brey January 8, 1928 - April 19, 2018 La Jolla Claire Spreckels Brey, 90, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, at her home in La Jolla, CA on April 19, 2018. She was the daughter of Ellis Moon and Claus Spreckels Jr., and the granddaughter of John D. Spreckels. Claire was born on January 8, 1928 in Coronado, CA. She attended Marlborough School for Girls in Los Angeles and the University of California at Berkeley, where she was a member of Gamma Phi Beta. After leaving college, she continued her education and took courses in Spanish, oceanography and botany.Claire enjoyed spending her time tracking down rare plants and species across California and the Baja coastline, where she discovered a new species, Berberis claireae. She proudly served for more than 20 years as a docent at the San Diego Natural History Museum, volunteering many hours of her time for the betterment of California's native habitat. She was also fond of conversation and the recounting of German nursery rhymes from her youth.Claire was a backyard swim instructor in La Jolla Shores, and loved to body surf at Scripps Pier. She took many of the local kids on surf trips, exploring Baja surf spots in her camper truck, "The Rig." She always had a warm breakfast ready after the morning surf session. Claire was also known to have an artistic and creative side. Her children have fond memories of her making sugar Easter eggs for their classmates at Scripps Elementary School.Known to family as "Ma", Claire was a loving and devoted mother. She is survived by her children, Robin, Torry and Rick (Belinda); grandchildren, Jessica (Cary), Brian (Kyoko), Curtis, Lauren; and great-grandchild, Molly. All of whom still reside in San Diego.Her kindness and witty sense of humor will be forever loved and missed. We love you, Ma! Please sign the guest book online at legacy.com/obituaries/ lajollalight .

Published by La Jolla Light on May 10, 2018.
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Memories and Condolences
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2 Entries

My sincere condolences to the family may you find comfort in the God of all comfort during this difficult time.

May 13, 2018

It was wonderful reading about your Mother....Claire.
A truly remarkable women!
Our condolences to your family.
Renée and Walt Poulson

May 11, 2018

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