DURHAM

The Funeral Service will be Live streamed from Montlawn Funeral Home - Click Here

Will be viewable and active on 5/8/21 - 15 Minutes before the service at 5:00 PM and will be available to re-watch at any time.

Claire Tolar Bass Kirven passed away peacefully on April 21, 2021 at the Duke Hock Family Pavilion (Duke Hospice) in Durham, NC.  She was born on January 26, 1938 in Rennert, NC.  She was the daughter of Claude Ruskin (Tony) Tolar and Frances McNeill Tolar.  She graduated from Needham Broughton High School in Raleigh, NC in 1956 and St. Mary's College in Raleigh, NC.  She is survived by son Dr. Cameron (Dale) Bass and wife Kathy of Durham, NC; son Lawrence Bass and wife Beth of Raleigh, NC; daughter Cynthia Bass of Raleigh, NC; and 8 grandchildren: Dr. Greg Bass of Melbourne, AUS, Charlie Bass and Caitlin Bass of Durham, NC; Rachel Bass, David Bass, and Alexander Bass of Raleigh, NC; and Casey Yelverton and Abby Claire Yelverton of Apex, NC.  She also leaves behind her sister Gray Ness, her brother Claude Ruskin (Pete) Tolar Jr. and wife Eleanor, cousins, nieces, nephews, and numerous extended family and friends.  She was preceded in death by her grandchild Ashley.

She inherited an interest in politics from her father, Tony Tolar, and served in numerous positions in the Republican Party in Raleigh, NC, Brussels, Belgium, and Westport, CT.  She loved the USA and all that its founding fathers intended it to be.  She was active in her Church, Benson Memorial UMC, Stonehenge Book Club, and Stonehenge Bridge Club for many years.  When she moved to Cary, NC, she joined Genesis UMC; when she moved to Fuquay-Varina, NC, she joined Fuquay-Varina Presbyterian Church.  She enjoyed the friendships and support she had throughout her life.

A memorial service (l imited to 100 people ) will be held at 5:00 PM on Saturday May 8, 2021 at Montlawn Funeral Home and Cremations, 2911 South Wilmington Street, Raleigh, NC 27603. A ll attendees will be asked to adhere to public health guidelines regarding face coverings and social distancing. A visitation and catered reception will occur immediately following the memorial service from 6:00 PM -8:00 PM.

Donations can be made to Duke Hock Family Pavilion (Duke Hospice) at https://www.gifts.duke.edu/dmaa .

Arrangements under the direction of Montlawn Funeral Home and Cremations.