Clare Marie Keiser

Clare Marie Keiser, age 86, of Cleveland Heights, Ohio, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Monday, January 8, 2024. Clare was born on November 19, 1937, in Conneautville, PA, to the late Mary Anna Keiser and Clarence F. Keiser, Sr.

Clare was such a character! Looking past her often gruff exterior one could clearly see a very caring and sweet person. She wanted to make a difference and she did.

Clare earned her nursing degree at The Spencer Hospital in Meadville, PA, and dedicated herself to a long and successful nursing career.  In 1963, she began her life’s work as an operating room nurse at University Hospitals in Cleveland, Ohio, where she worked for more than 25 years. She spent the rest of her nursing career working for the Carnegie Surgery Center, also in Cleveland, and eventually retired from nursing at the age of 75. After her retirement, Clare continued to work at Maxim Healthcare, administering flu shots and other vaccinations, until she was 80 years old.

Clare was a founding member of the Association of Operating Room Nurses (AORN) of Greater Cleveland, Chapter 3608, in 1973, and held every leadership position possible with them. She also held leadership positions with the Greater Cleveland Nurses Association for over 40 years and was an active member of The Ohio Council of Perioperative Registered Nurses.

Clare volunteered for MedWish, sorting surgical instruments to be donated to poor countries and villages overseas. She also dedicated herself to civic engagement and the general voting process by acting as a polling location volunteer with the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections.

She is survived by her godchildren, Britt Evereth Taylor Jensen, Priscilla Taylor Hawkinson and Blackwell Oliver James “Bojay” Taylor, children of Theresa Evereth Taylor, Clare's longtime friend. And siblings Jeanne Wygand, Clarence Keiser, and Joseph Keiser. Preceded in death by siblings Rosalie Porfilio, Thomas Keiser, and Rita Loretta Stancliff. 

 A service celebrating Clare’s life will be held on Monday, February 5, 2024 at 11am at the Lakeview Cemetery Mausoleum in Cleveland, Ohio. Please use the Mayfield Rd entrance for easiest access to the mausoleum.