With heavy hearts, we share the passing of Claire Wolf Warren of Spokane Valley, WA.
What follows is not the whole story, but a thread of it.
Claire held deeply to the Presbyterian faith — and was, by all accounts, loved by those who knew her best.
A life of belief is a life of quiet conversation with something larger.
Claire Hinsey Warren (née Clara Wolf Hinsey) of Spokane Valley, WA passed away on April 20, 2026. A resident of Spokane for over 30 years, Claire was born June 28, 1933 in Philadelphia, PA, the daughter of Ellis Overholser Hinsey and Dr. Dorothy Leeds Werner Hinsey. Her long life was marked by service to her community and the joie de vivre of a storied life of experience and travel.
Claire grew up in Wyncote, PA, a suburb of Philadelphia, in a rich artistic and intellectual environment - both parents were college professors. Her father was also a professional photographer, and her mother hosted a weekly salon of current and former art students at their home. After graduating from Germantown Friends School, Claire attended art classes at the Philadelphia College of Art, where she studied fashion and the plastic arts. She traveled to Paris and worked designing windows at Galeries Lafayette. In 1956 she married Rayalton Warren. Following his death in 1963, she traveled with her mother on several extended trips to Europe and the Caribbean.
In 1995 she retired to Spokane, WA. She made many friends in Spokane and participated in many group events. Claire's faith was a central part of her life which allowed her to live her faith through care for her community and ongoing service. For many years she was a member of the Hamblen Park Presbyterian Church in Spokane. She was also a volunteer for the Lion's Club, involved in service projects that provided assistance for the visually impaired.
Claire was predeceased by her brother, Norman Wolf Hinsey Sr. in 2011 and her sister-in-law Eleanor Wright Hinsey in 2022. She leaves a nephew, Norman Wolf Hinsey Jr., a niece, Ellen Hinsey, a great niece, Vera Charlotte Hinsey Green and her husband Chaim Aharon Green, a great nephew Derek Wright Hinsey and his wife Katherine Lincoln. Claire also leaves four great, great nephews and nieces: Menachem, Devorah Leah, Levi and Shaina Green. She was blessed with the friendships of Neil MacKenzie and Dianne Molsberry who brightened her many years in Spokane.
A Memorial Service is scheduled for Friday May 29 at 6 pm at the Hamblen Park Presbyterian Church, 4102 S Crestline St, Spokane, WA 99203. Memorial gifts may be made to Hamblen Park Presbyterian Church, contact Heather Notske heathern@hamblinpres.org.
PNW Cremation & Funeral is honored to serve the family of Claire Hinsey Warren.
