Claire Wheatley Place

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Claire Wheatley Place, a beloved mother, wife, and friend to all who knew her. She passed surrounded by family on February 13, 2025 in Tucson, Arizona, at the age of 62 after battling health challenges which she faced with grace, dignity and strength. She is survived by her husband of 40 years, Scott Place, sons Garrett (wife Bailey and grandson Noah), Graham and Logan, as well as her brother Philip C. Wheatley.Claire was born on September 21, 1962, in Bloomington, Indiana, to Gerald C.R. Wheatley and Barbara Ruth (Berry). Initially growing up in Kansas City, she moved to Tucson with her mother and younger brother when she was in the sixth grade. In her junior year at Sahuaro High School, she met Scott and the two started a life long journey together. After beginning college at Washington State University and studying abroad in Denmark for a year, she returned to Tucson and graduated from the University of Arizona. She and Scott were married in 1984 at the Arizona Inn.After college, Claire worked as a child support case worker and then as a flight attendant for America West Airlines in Phoenix, Arizona. In their mid-20s, Claire and Scott took a year off from their careers to backpack through Europe and camp across the United States. After living in Jacksonville, Florida, for several years where she earned her teaching degree, Claire and Scott moved back to Tucson in 1991 which is when Claire began her strong connection with the Tanque Verde Unified School District ("TVUSD") starting as a Social Studies teacher.Even though Claire left teaching to raise Garrett, Graham and Logan, she was a tireless community and parent volunteer devoting time to the schools her sons were in as well as taking charge of the 49er Neighborhood Watch program which covered approximately 400 homes. After being President of the Parent Teacher Group of Tanque Verde Elementary School, Claire was elected to the TVUSD Governing Board and served both as the Clerk and President during her tenure. In 2015, Claire rounded her connection to TVUSD as she was once again employed by the school district as the Community Liaison, eventually becoming Director of Communications until she retired in 2023.Community involvement and public education were important to her, but Claire's family was always first and foremost at the center of her heart. Throughout her life, she exemplified love, loyalty, and a kind spirit that endeared her to all. In spite of the health challenges she faced starting in 2019, she continued to enjoy camping, hiking, kayaking, traveling, and most importantly, family time.In honor of Claire, please consider a donation to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation at https://fundraise.givesmart.com/vf/PFFTribute/ClaireWheatleyPlace -- this link is a tribute page to Claire. A private family event celebrating Claire's life will be held at a later date.