Claire Carpenter Byler

Claire Carpenter Byler, 90, peacefully passed away on June 25, 2021, at Garden Spot Village, New Holland, PA surrounded by her beloved husband of nearly 69 years, David A. Byler, and her beloved daughters Jennifer Clark (Steven), Rebecca Gamble (Scott) and Julie Rosario (Francis). Claire is the third of four children born to the late Marion and Dr. Eugene Carpenter. She is the dear sister of the late Eugene Carpenter, Jr., of Anne Suplee, and of the late Sara (Sally) Arniel.

Claire’s greatest joy in life was spending time with her grandchildren: Ashley Comegys (Kris), Lindsey Weir (Andrew), Christopher Clark (Jess), Leslie Thomas (Mitch), the late Brian Gamble, Beau Rosario (Summer), Clint Rosario (Ally), Brooke Gamble, and Megan Gamble and her great-grandchildren: Mahlon, Eloise, Hadley, Bodi, the late Kamri, Byler, Holden, Archer, Calahan and Rex. They fondly called her “Mimi”.

Claire grew up in Yeadon and Lansdowne, PA, graduating from Yeadon High School in 1948. She received a Bachelors Degree in Physical Education from Connecticut College for Women in 1952. Claire and David’s love story began in the 8th grade and led them to marriage on October 4, 1952. They made their home in Broomall, PA for over 50 years. Claire and David moved to Garden Spot Village in New Holland, PA in 2005. Claire and David extended hospitality to family and friends at their vacation home in the Chesapeake Isle Community, North East, MD, where they enjoyed fun together on the beach and sailboat.

Claire was athletic, playing field hockey, basketball, ice skating and doing synchronized swimming. Claire was a lifelong dancer and loved getting out on the dance floor with her partner in life and dance, David. She had a green thumb and during the summer always had on display beautiful arrangements of flowers from her garden. Claire positively impacted the lives of countless children through the years as a Physical Education teacher in Claymont, DE, as director and teacher at Messiah Lutheran Nursery School, as director and teacher at the Newtown Square Presbyterian Nursery School and as a Girl Scout leader. Claire was an active member of Marple Presbyterian Church in Broomall, PA for over 45 years, serving as an elder and a deacon. Later she became a member at First Presbyterian Church in Strasburg, PA after moving to Garden Spot Village. Claire will be deeply missed by her family and friends who are grateful for her life and who now entrust her into the arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

A memorial service will be scheduled in the future. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Claire can be made to Hospice and Community Care at www.hospicecommunity.org or to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org.