The family of Claire Steinberg announces the passing of our mother, grandmother, and mother-in-law at age 98. She was and will remain the glue that holds our family together.

A woman of intelligence, grace, and a family-first mindset, Claire not only cared for her own but gathered into her extended family many others who, like her grandchildren, simply called her Nanny. Happiest at her home on Long Beach Island, she loved a full house and a good party.

Born Claire Elsie Petroll, she lived her early life in the Vailsburg section of Newark, NJ. She graduated from West Side High School, then went on to become the first in her family to attend college. It was at Upsala College that her life took its defining turn. There Claire met Frank Steinberg, who was newly returned to the States after three years in the Army. It was love at first sight. Claire delighted in telling people "I knew the first time I saw him that he was the man I would marry." Her intuition was correct: Claire and Frank graduated together, married in 1950, and spent almost 50 years together.

They moved from a rental in Bloomfield to a new home in Berkeley Heights (then considered to be "out in the sticks"), then farther "out in the sticks" to Mendham Township where they established a long-term family home and Claire remained until she was in her early 90's. They raised a close-knit family of three children. Claire was active in support of her children, serving as President of the PTA and participating actively in many other community groups. In addition to forging new friendships through community and charitable activities Claire delighted in hosting college fraternity and sorority parties with lifelong friends into her 60's. The old college ties remained strong throughout her life.

A voracious reader for most of her life, Claire's favorite place was the family home on LBI, the central gathering place for four generations of family and friends. Nothing delighted her more than "having a houseful." She loved walking on the beach and swimming in the ocean, the latter without ever getting her head wet. She liked LBI sunsets over the bay, but given the choice she would take a sunrise over a sunset every time. She was a morning person and believed more in beginnings than ends. And in Claire's eyes, sunny or cloudy, rain or shine, the weather was always perfect on LBI. And that, in a way, describes her whole attitude towards life. In her own words, "what a life it has been."

Claire was preceded in death by her husband Franklyn C. Steinberg, Jr., parents William and Mary Petroll, and sister Tinnie Schott, along with all of the fraternity and sorority gang.

To follow her example of a life well-lived she leaves behind a daughter, Gail Busch and son-in-law James, of Clinton, a son William and daughter-in-law Christine, also of Clinton, and son Franklyn III and daughter-in-law Christine, of Flemington. "Nanny" to seven grandchildren – James (Robin), William (Ashley), Franklyn (Kristen), Kathryn, Cara (Andrew), Robert (Alexandra), William (Lauren) - and 11 great-grandchildren, she was extremely proud of all of them.

A memorial Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated by the Reverend Thomas J. Serafin, VF, KCHS on Saturday, March 22, 2025 at 11:00 a.m., with visitation from 10:00 – 10:45 a.m., at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 105 Summer Road, Three Bridges, NJ 08887.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Claire's name to the Mendham Township Library, 2 West Main Street, Brookside, NJ 07926.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted through Countryside Funeral Home, 724 Route 202 North, Three Bridges, NJ 08887. To send condolences to Claire's family, share photographs, or light a virtual candle, please visit CountrysideFuneralHome.com.