Claire Gregory, a passionate defender of human rights, longtime Alexandria resident and ardent Cubs fan, died Jan. 21, 2015 at the age of 54. She was born in Winfield, Ill. to the late Cecily and William Gregory. Claire attended Smith College and after her junior year she earned a summer internship in the Carter White House. She graduated Cum Laude with a degree in government, and went to work for the Department of Energy, Office of Hearings and Appeals in Washington D.C. as a legal and financial analyst.
Claire was awarded a Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia, School of Law with Order of the Coif honors. Claire’s legal career was singularly focused on ensuring people were treated fairly and received the full protection of the law. As a trial attorney for the Office of the Attorney General for the State of New Hampshire, she advocated for the people of New Hampshire in civil matters before administrative agencies, state and federal courts. At the U.S. Department of Justice as a Senior Trial Attorney in the Civil Rights Division, Claire brought suits to stop employment discrimination, and worked tirelessly to establish anti- discrimination and sexual harassment policies. She promoted consumer protection, improvement of public health and advocated against false advertising at Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. In her adopted home of Alexandria, Claire gave generously of her time and skill as a member of the Alexandria Human Rights Commission. She connected with the elderly as a regular volunteer with Meals on Wheels and showed her commitment to education as a reading tutor for elementary‐age students in the Alexandria public schools. Claire helped the homeless through her commitment to Carpenter Shelter and the Lazarus Ministry.
She was a long‐time, active member of the St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and Daughters of the King, an Episcopal women’s order that ministers through prayer, service and evangelism. Claire was a generous and devoted friend, always ready to give care and kindness when needed. Although serious in purpose, she loved to be silly and have fun.
Services were held Saturday, Feb. 14, 2015 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. Claire was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Robert W. Gregory, and dear friend Douglas L. Thurman of Alexandria. She is survived by her sister, Margaret C. Gregory and husband Harry Titus, of Raleigh, N.C., and many friends.
Donations in Claire’s memory may be made to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 228 South Pitt Street, Alexandria, VA 22314.