Claire Elizabeth Morley

On Thursday, September 11, 2025, Claire Elizabeth Widmann Morley entered eternal rest.

She was the beloved wife of the late Daniel Christopher Morley. She was preceded in death by her parents, Mary Fallier Widmann and Edward Theobold Widmann; her siblings, Josephine E. O’Donnell, Barbara M. Widmann, and Edward M. Widmann; and her grandson, Benjamin Michael Balcerek.

Claire was the loving mother of Michael J. Morley (Lisa), Patrick E. Morley (Maria), Mary “Betsy” E. Morley Balcerek (Michael), and Christine M. Morley Stassen (Peter).

She was the proud grandmother to Colleen Morley, Megan Morley, Daniel Morley (Raina), Jonathan Morley, Julia Morley, Benjamin Balcerek, Matthew Balcerek, Christopher Balcerek, Daniel Stassen, and Madeleine Stassen.

Born on February 3, 1938, and raised in Washington, D.C., Claire graduated from Immaculata Preparatory School and received her associate’s degree from Georgetown Visitation Junior College.

Claire and Dan were married on September 17, 1960, at Saint Ann’s Catholic Church in Washington, D.C., and would have celebrated their sixty-fifth wedding anniversary this September.

She began her career in radio and later moved into fashion, working in the bridal suite at Garfinckel’s Department Store. After having children, Claire devoted herself to raising her four children and managing the household.

She adored her grandchildren and cultivated deep, personal relationships with each of them. She was a constant presence at their ceremonies, sporting events, concerts, plays, and graduations.

Claire had a passion for tennis and cherished her time at the family’s beach house in Bethany Beach, Delaware.

Family and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church, 4103 Prices Distillery Road, Ijamsville, MD 21754, on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at 1:00 p.m.

Interment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 13801 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20906, on Thursday, September 18, 2025, at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Claire E. Morley to the Little Sisters of the Poor of Washington, D.C., at littlesistersofthepoor.org/donate.