Mary Claire Clauss Gassensmith

Mary Claire Gassensmith, 87, died peacefully at her home in South Bend, on March 9, 2022.Mary Claire was born on July 23, 1934 to George and Alice (Braundsdorf) Hennion. A life-long South Bend resident, she graduated from John Adams High School in 1952 and attended St. Mary's College.Before her retirement in 1999, Mary Claire worked in Student Services at Indiana University, South Bend.She was preceded in death by her husband, Norbert "Skip" Gassensmith, whom she married in 1991. Skip was, in her words, "the love of my life, the most loving, honest, and kind man I have ever known." Her son-in-law, Michael Quebedeau, also preceded her in death in 2021, as did an infant granddaughter, Bonnie Lynn Cecrle, in 1982.Mary Claire is survived by her children from her marriage to Jon Clauss, Sr. in 1956: Mary Catherine Quebedeau, Jon (Stacey) Clauss, Laura (Lance) Trexler, Mark (Barbara) Clauss, and Patrick (Kristin) Clauss. Mary Claire was the proud grandmother of 13 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. As she put it recently, she loved her children, their spouses, and her grandchildren "beyond description." For many years, prior to her marriage to Skip, Mary Claire was a single mother to her five children, devoting herself to their well-being above all else.A private service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers or cards, Mary Claire has asked the following: "Please consider doing something special for someone you don't know and ask them to pass it on."To send private condolences, please visit: http://www.mcgannhay.com/condolences.html