A Tribute to Claire Pappas: Strange Interlude: 81 Years Later

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Strange Interlude: 81 Years Later

In 1928, Eugene O'Neill's new play, "Strange Interlude," opened at the John Golden Theater in New York City. Claire Pappas, age 21, was there to see it. More than 80 years later, her grandson Jonathan and great-grandson James (age 21) saw the rarely produced play at the Goodman Theater in Chicago. Like their Granny so many years before, James and Jonathan enjoyed a nine-act marathon (with a dinner break halfway through). They were graced with the company of Gabbi Greenfield, mother of the lead actress in this memorable 2009 production by Chicago's Neo-Futurists. Pictured here: James Obremski, the ever-present Gordon Shaw, Nina Leeds (the gifted actress Merrie Greenfield) with her mother Gabbi, and Jonathan Shailor with Eugene O'Neill.

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Claire Pappas (1907-2007)

Claire Pappas died peacefully in the early hours of November 1, 2007, surrounded by her loving family. She was 100 years old. At the time of her passing, the beloved matriarch known as “Granny” was survived by a son-in-law (William Leroy Shailor), 7 grandchildren (Thomas Shailor, Sandra Shucavage, Erica Robinson, Jonathan Shailor, Kimberly Obremski, Christopher Shailor, and Richard Shailor), 9 great-grandchildren (Robert and Joseph Shailor, Michael and James Obremski, Samantha and Katie Shucavage, Alexandra and Rebecca Shailor, and Ashley Shailor), one sister (Regina Ballone) and one sister in-law (Bernice Urtnowski).

Claire Pappas was born on January 12, 1907 in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, New York, the daughter of Polish immigrants Bronislaw Stanislaw Urtnowski and Stephania Dombrowski. In her early years at P.S. 3 in Greenpoint and at Washington Irving High School in New York City, Claire developed a love for art and literature that would remain with her throughout her life. Claire survived a brief marriage at the age of 16, and gave birth to her first daughter, Joyce in 1924. In the rough-and-tumble of early 20th century New York, Claire thrived as an office worker, and as an occasional dancer and model (in 1925, she modeled for a statue of the Madonna). During this time, she cultivated a quick wit, a strong sense of grace and beauty, and flawless accounting skills. On December 7, 1930, she married George Pappas, a son of Greek and Irish immigrants. Claire gave birth to their daughter Patricia in 1931.

Through the following years, George’s work as a national and international classified advertising consultant would carry the small family to Syracuse in upstate New York, and also to Chicago, Oklahoma City, Omaha, and St. Louis. They would always return to New York City, where Claire picked up office work, eventually landing a position as office manager for the Great Lakes Carbon Company (owned by the Skakel family, linked by marriage to the Kennedys). Claire also enjoyed the bright lights of the big city, and encouraged her daughters’ experiments in modeling and performance. Both daughters married and had children. Sadly, Joyce died while still a young woman due to complications from diabetes. Claire would become a second mother to Joyce’s children, especially Erica, who was severely developmentally disabled, and who had to be institutionalized at an early age. Claire took full responsibility for Erica’s care. In the 1960’s and 70’s, Claire and her husband divided their time between visits with their grandchildren, and travel—to the British Isles, Spain, Morocco, Italy, Greece, Singapore, India, and elsewhere. During those years it seemed that Claire and George spent at least half their time on the NYC subway, taking excursions in their VW Beetle, or flying to another exotic destination.

In 1980, Claire and George moved to Beverly, Massachusetts, to be closer to their daughter Patricia and their grandchildren. Claire also saw to it that Erica was transferred from her facility in New York to a facility near her new home on the North Shore.

The following decades were happy years filled with the joys and sorrows of family life. Claire mourned the loss of her husband George in 1992, her daughter Patricia in 2001, and her beloved son-in-law Peter in 2003. Through these years she was always surrounded by at least a dozen loving relatives, all living close by, visiting often, and sharing with Claire her great loves: family, art, good books, good food, theatre, music, stylish clothes and jewelry, games and adventures…

Claire’s great spirit lives on and continues to warm and inspire her descendants.

Those who wish to honor the memory of Claire Pappas may make a donation in her name to

Hogan Regional Center, 450 Maple Street, Danvers, MA 01923.

In Memorium

You do look, my son, in a moved sort, as if you were dismayed.
Be cheerful, sir, our revels now are ended.
These our actors were all spirits—
And are melted into air, into thin air.
And like the baseless fabric of this vision,
The cloud-capped towers,
The gorgeous palaces,
The solemn temples,
The great globe itself—yeah, all which it inherit,
Shall dissolve…
And like this insubstantial pageant faded
Leave not a rack behind.
We are such stuff as dreams are made on,
And our little life is rounded with a sleep.

William Shakespeare, The Tempest