Obituary: Claire Karesh

Claire Karesh passed away March 8, at the age of 100. Claire is survived by her sons, Jeffrey (Jill) Vantosh and Stuart Karesh; grandchildren, Aaron (Katherine) Vantosh and Beth (Kenny Richards) Vantosh; great-grandson, Max Van Richards; sister, Elaine Turner; niece, Randi (Larry) Rubin; great-niece, Rebecca Rubin and great-nephew Zachary Rubin. Claire passed away peacefully at her studio apartment at the Cohen Home in Johns Creek.

The staff at the Cohen Home and Weinstein Hospice treated her with impeccable care. She was known throughout the home as “Claire.” Claire celebrated her 100th birthday at the Cohen Home and it was an extravaganza.

She was born and lived in Newark, N.J., in the Weequahic section, Newark’s predominant Jewish section. Her parents, Herman and Rae Friedenreich, were a stellar couple in the community.

Claire made her mark in the modeling and fashion industry in many of Newark’s women’s specialty stores. After World War II, Claire continued her career at Saks Fifth Avenue, New York City. In 1952, Saks sent Claire to Miami Beach to help reopen the newly remodeled Saks on Lincoln Road.

After two years in Miami Beach, Claire and Jeffrey moved back to Newark and she went back to her beloved Saks Fifth Avenue, waking up at 5:30 every morning and returning home at 10:00 p.m. She never minded the trip from Newark to New York City. Saks and her son Jeffrey were her life. In 1956, she met Dave “Sonny” Karesh from Atlanta and they were married eight months later. Claire worked at Saks, Neiman’s and Tiffany’s in Atlanta for many years. It seemed that there was only one “Claire” in Atlanta.

Memorial donations may be made to Weinstein Hospice or the charity of one’s choice. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.

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