Claudia J (Hersey) Stark , VRHS Class of 1957
Stark, Claudia (Hersey), died on August 25, 2026. She was born February 15, 1939, daughter of the late Ernest Hersey and Jeanette (Buchan) Hersey. Survived by her husband Robert G. Stark, sons Robert Jr. (Marie), Russel (John), Ronald (Angela) and daughter Cindy. 5 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. Several cousins, nieces and nephews. Claudia was born in Albany and raised and educated in Rensselaer. After graduating from Van Rensselaer High School, Claudia went to work for the New York Telephone Company as a Toll Operator. She Married Robert January 10, 1959 in the United Methodist Church on Washington Street Rensselaer, NY. They bought their first house before the end of that year, she left work and had their first son Robert Jr. Soon daughter Cindy came along. Running out of room, time to move on. They built a house in East Greenbush, then came along the second son Russel. Claudia was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Rensselaer and East Greenbush where she taught in Sunday School and chaperoned many outings with the church youth fellowship. It wasn't long before the third son Ronald came along, now there was six. Claudia volunteered for the Red Cross as a nurse's aide, she volunteered at Memorial Hospital in the Pediatric Unit. She was a Cub Scout Leader and Girl Scout Leader and enjoyed teaching them crafts while they earned their badges. She Kept the family supplied in cookies and pies and enjoyed trying many new and different meals. Claudia then went back to school enrolling at Hudson Valley Community College taking evening courses. She took all her courses that she could take in the evening. When the kids all got in school it was time to enroll in the Nursing program. She graduated in 1976, took her boards and was now a registered nurse. In 1977 she went to work at Memorial Hospital and worked there for 20 years before retiring. Claudia and Robert spent the next 25 years traveling in their Airstream trailer to every state in the United States, including Alaska and flying to Hawaii. They spent 25 years at their home in Dade City, Florida. Claudia enjoyed crafts, including counted cross stitch, string art, latch hooking, gardening, playing golf, taking long bike trips, and serving on the board of directors at he Greenbush Cemetery. When she got older, Claudia and Robert enjoyed doing the daily Jumble and Sudoku puzzles. Claudia has donated her body to Albany Medical College. Her services will be at a later date.