Claire Lucille O'Brien Stika

A Service of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM on August 22, 2024, at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church for Claire Stika, 96, who passed away on August 20, 2024. Visititation will be held at church on Thursday, August 22, 2024 from 9:00 AM until the time of service. Entombment will take place in Calvary Mausoleum. Father Benjamin George-Thoms, Curate of St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, will be the Celebrant and will conduct the funeral services. Survivors: Daughter Leslie S Alwell and son-in-law David; son, Kurt J Stika, grandson Corey J Coles and wife Joanna, step-grandchildren Amy Pence and husband Jeff, Amanda Hubbard and husband Ryan, Lexy Humphrey and husband Andrew, Matthew Alwell and wife Kari, two great-grandchildren and six step-great-grandchildren, sister Patricia Michael, niece Lisa Harmon and husband Kevin Harmon, great-grand nephew Kyle Harmon and wife Cameron and great-grand niece Lindsey H McCarty and husband Nik. Preceded in death by her beloved husband of 56 years, William “Bill” Alfred Stika, son Eric William Stika, parents Henry and Carrie O’Brien, brother Harry O’Brien, sisters Norma Peltier, Rita LeBlanc and Althea Kahn. Claire worked as a relief teller at Fidelity National Bank of Baton Rouge before moving to Lafayette. She remained at home until her youngest started school, then she went to work for Montgomery Ward for ten years in the credit office then was employed in the accounting office of Burger King, a division of Chart House Inc. restaurants until retiring in 1988. She was a founding member of St Barnabas Episcopal Church and volunteered as secretary, Sunday School teacher and Vacation Bible School teacher. A member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority since joining in 1947, she achieved the highest degree of Torchbearer and served as its first president. During all of her years in Beta Sigma Phi she served in each office and also served in its City Council in each office. She was honored to be selected Chapter Sweetheart many times throughout the years. In retirement, she became a volunteer at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Hospital for eighteen years and served as its auxiliary Treasurer in the gift shop and as its President more than once. She was also elected state President of the Louisiana Hospital Association, Society of Hospital Auxilians. In 1992 she became a member of Lafayette Ladies Civitan Club. She served as recording secretary and was chosen as Civitan of the Year for 1994-95. She was a member of Stepping Out Red Hats since its inception in 2003. Throughout all their years, Claire and Bill loved to travel. They took countless weekend trips to New Orleans, traveled almost the entire United States by car and enjoyed their ultimate vacation to Ireland where Claire kissed the Blarney Stone. In her spare time, Claire enjoyed working puzzles, playing cards, sewing, reading, trying new recipes and Mardi Gras. She was an avid gardener who could bring even the sickest plant back to life. The family would like to express our sincere appreciation and gratitude to Verna, Donna, Rachel and Bridgeway Hospice for the wonderful love and care given to Claire this last year. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial and honoraria giving be made to St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Lafayette, LA.

Claire Lucille O'Brien Stika

May 12, 1928 - August 20, 2024