Claire Elizabeth Brechtel Collier

Claire Elizabeth Collier passed away peacefully Friday, August 9, 2024, after a long, courageous battle with dementia. She was 95.

Born on August 7, 1929, Claire was raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She graduated from St. Joseph Academy and received a scholarship to attend Ursuline College in New Orleans. At Ursuline, she was involved in many college activities, and was salutatorian of the 1950 graduating class. She made and cherished life-long friendships with her classmates at St. Joseph and Ursuline. Her friends at St. Joseph called themselves the “Nicks,” and each one had their own nickname. Claire was affectionately known as “Ibby,” a name which childhood friends called her throughout her life.

In 1950, she married the love of her life, Robert Thomas “Bob” Collier.  They were married for 64 years and had five children. While raising a family in Baton Rouge, she worked for the Welfare department.

In 1964, the family moved to Beaumont, Texas, when her husband was transferred by his employer, Gulf States Utilities. Claire became a member of St. Anne Catholic church where she faithfully attended Mass with her five children.  She would later become a member of the St. Anne choir.

Not long after the move to Beaumont, Claire became socially connected, which was the case everywhere she went. Playing bridge was at the top. Claire was an avid bridge player and enjoyed “bridge club” with her friends for well over fifty years. Even as her memory loss progressed, she managed an occasional bridge game. To silence concerns over her memory, Claire often boasted that she was still the bridge game scorekeeper.

Claire’s love of children inspired us all. She had five children and was blessed with fourteen grandchildren, and twenty-one great-grandchildren. This same love for children led Claire to work with the newly-organized Head Start program in Beaumont, first as a social worker, and then as the Director, a position she held for 27 years until she retired in 1994. Early childhood development was, and always would be, her signature passion in life.

After retirement, Claire enjoyed traveling with her husband and visits to see grandchildren. She remained active in the St. Anne choir and other church activities well beyond retirement.

Claire was preceded in death by her husband, Bob Collier; her son, Tommy Collier; her grandson, Ty Womble; her father, Frederick Brechtel; her mother, Elmira Brechtel; her sister, Jean Brechtel Faircloth; and her brother, Frederick Brechtel.

She is survived by her daughters, Lynne Womble (Bob), Anne Addcox (Jim), Jane Moorman (Craig); and her son, Scott Collier (Lisa); along with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions for Mrs. Collier may be made to St. Anne Catholic Church, 2715 Calder Avenue, Beaumont, Texas 77702; St. Joseph’s Academy, 3015 Broussard Street, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70808; or an organization of one’s choice.

A gathering of Mrs. Collier’s family and friends will be from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m., with a Rosary recited at 5:00 p.m., Thursday, August 15, 2024, at Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont. Her Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Friday, August 16, 2024, at St. Anne Catholic Church, 2715 Calder Avenue, Beaumont, with her interment to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont.