Mrs. Boyce

Claire Hartsook Boyce, a former resident of Blowing Rock from Greensboro, passed away August 25, at the age of 96.

Mrs. Boyce was born April 28, 1912, a daughter of the late Clara Hendrix Hartsook and Charles Henry Hartsook. She graduated from The Women’s College (UNC-G) in Greensboro with a decree in Physical Education and it was there she returned to teach. Active in a number of projects and programs, Claire also taught in other schools and at the Cone YMCA. She was also Miss Greensboro and president of the NC Federation of Women’s Clubs.

Her passion, however, was horses and children, and to that end her contributions were massive. Claire worked with children and horses, teaching riding at her Little Bit Pony Farm and she was a regular instructor at Camp Yonahlossee in Blowing Rock where her grandfather took his horses.

She was a member of the Sedgefield Country Club, former member of Greensboro Country Club and Greensboro City Club, member of Sedgefield Hunt Club, United Professional Horseman’ Association, and NC Hunter-Jumper Association. She was a judge, stewart and manager in the horse show world, including many years of service to the Blowing Rock Horse Show.

She was given the Lifetime Achievement Award by the NC Hunter-Jumper Association and was presented the Sportsmanship award at the Blowing Rock Horse Show, and the Pegasus Medal by the USEF. She was an institution in her own right in the horse world, and Blowing Rock was the recipient of much of her passion and efforts.

She was a member of West Market Street United Methodist Church.
Mrs.Boyce is survived by her three children, Lynn Boyce Brennan and husband Tom, Joan Carlton Boyce, and Barry Russell Boyce; seven grandchildren, John Wesley Purdie III, Charles Wesley Purdie, and David Boyce Purdie, Kristin Boyce, Kellie and Leigh Boyce and Nicholas Boyce; and nine great-grandchildren, Kameryn, Taylor and Wesley Purdie, Jack Michael, Thomas and Anna Purdie, Emma-Claire and Boyce Purdie.

She was preceded in death by her husbands, Russell Carlton Boyce and William Dailey; brothers, Charles and Edward Hartsook, and a sister, Jean Murphy.
Funeral services were held on Tuesday,. September 2 at Hanes Lineberry, Sedgefield with Dr. David Melton officiating. Interment followed in Guilford Memorial Park.

Memorials may be made to the St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, West Market Street Methodist Church, Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro, 2500 Summit Avenue, Greensboro, N.C. or to any other children’s or horse related charity of the donor’s choice. The local charity of choice would be the Blazing Saddles program at the Blowing Rock Equestrian Center