In Memory of

Claire Hooper

March 26, 1965 - May 30, 2016

Obituary

Claire Hooper, 51, died unexpectedly on May 30th. A tireless advocate of stem cell therapy and clinical research, Claire worked until the end to promote patient choice, and for the rights of people and their doctors to make treatment choices free from arbitrary government restrictions and control.
Before becoming disabled, Claire worked for several years as the SAT prep teacher at Central High School. It was then that she proved to be an inspired teacher, and a great friend and mentor to many of her students. Appalled by the lack of opportunities many of her students had because of their circumstances, Claire was determined to help as many of them as she could overcome their difficulties and achieve their potential. Working before and after school, on weekends and during the summer, Claire helped dozens of her students successfully complete high school and go on to attend college.
Although she cared deeply and worked hard for all her students, she gave her heart to a special group of them whom she called The Five. Some were not native English speakers, all lived lives filled with hardship, and often with heartbreak. All were young people of dignity and determination, and Claire was equally determined that their lives would not be defined by their early disadvantages.
Claire created and self-funded her own scholarship program, Hooper's Heroes, which helped The Five and other worthy students pay for college. She bought them computers and books, clothes and other incidentals, but mostly she made sure each knew how special he or she was, and most of all she made sure they knew how much she loved them, and that she would do anything she could to help them succeed. All of them graduated college or will shortly. One is a successful entrepreneur and, like the woman he came to call "Mom", a ceaseless advocate for the poor, weak and exploited. Another starts her hospital internship this fall, having received her medical degree this year. Another graduated with high honors from the University of Houston, which she attended on a "full ride" scholarship that Claire helped her earn. The other two soon will graduate from the University of Texas, also thanks to scholarships which they received in part because of Claire.
Claire will be sorely missed by many, far too many to name here. She is survived by her husband, John Moye, her brothers Johnny and Ray, her sisters Ruth, Kathryn and Mary, her nieces Cindy, Sandy, Paige and Amy, her nephew Richard, her aunts Frances and Wilma, her lifelong dear friend, Darragh Dorion-Castillo, and of course by The Five – Luis Lopez, Dr. Alana Akers, Tram Tran-Truong, Erika Mendoza and Jessica Lavador.
A private memorial service for Claire will take place next week. Attendance is by invitation only. Those who wish to remember Claire in a tangible way are asked to give donations in her name to the Southeast Texas Humane Society, PO Box 1629, Beaumont, Texas 77704. Claire loved animals almost as much as she loved people.