Naomi Claver

November 17th, 2018

Mom always taught me, throughout my entire life, to resist going with the flow just because everyone else was doing it. She really believed in the importance of independent thinking. That is not to say she believed in being a rebel or in being difficult, it just meant to think about what we are told and do the right thing, even if that means not going with “the flow.”

She taught me, not only the importance of independent thinking, but that I was smart enough to reach my own conclusions and that my opinion mattered. That encouragement was critical to my growth, self-esteem, and confidence and stays with me to this day, over 50 years later.

What I appreciate most about both mom and dad was that they always worked out their differences with civility and never stayed upset with each other. I use the word, “upset” deliberately because there was never anger in our household. There was never name calling. I really did not know what anger was or why people got angry until in my teens. I always thought that those who get angry were unable to control themselves and not rational (I know that to not be the case now). I didn’t get it.

My fondest memory of mom (and dad) was when I was a teenager. When so many teenagers had issues with their parents and complained about them or rebelled against them, I always thanked G-D for being born to my parents. While we had disagreements, they never, ever gave me a reason to hate them. And while I was not the most perfect son, mom never stopped loving me for who I was and was always my biggest fan, no matter how difficult life became. Her respect, best interest & love for me has stayed with me to this day, four years after her passing. Her spirit lives within me from day to day and year to year and I am fortunate enough to thank G-D for that.

~Bruce Claver
~son, Illinois

November 24th, 2014

Our deepest condolences on your loss.

~Manny and Mary Schenk
~friend, Glenview il