Longtime Claremont residents, together 69 years, died a week apart

Forty-seven year Claremont residents George Murray Bailey, 94, and his loving wife Claire Busk Bailey, 92, shared a poignant end when they died within a week of each other, on July 31 and August 6, respectively.

George and Claire moved to Claremont in 1971 and were residents of Mt. San Antonio Gardens since 2005. The couple would have celebrated their 68th anniversary on August 5.

Mr. Bailey was born in Millers, Maryland in 1924. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Lancaster, Pennsylvania’s Franklin and Marshall College, and then a master’s in history from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.

Mrs. Bailey was born at home in Shennington, Wisconsin in 1925. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1947 with a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and agricultural bacteriology.

George and Claire met at the University of Wisconsin in 1949. Mr. Bailey was there working on a second master’s degree in library science and Claire had returned to her alma mater to work in the school’s genetics department while pursuing her master’s degree in education.

When Mr. Bailey retired in 1989, he was the associate director of the Claremont College Libraries. Mrs. Bailey was a travel agent for some 20 years.

They shared many hobbies including gardening, volunteering and traveling. The couple led the Pomona Travelers group from 1990 to 2002, and together they traveled the world, seeing more than 65 countries. 

They are survived by their children Todd Bailey and Leanne Seeger; daughter-in-law, Regina Bailey; son-in-law, Chuck Seeger; grandchildren Lauren, Andrew, Kyle, Katie, Josh, Brittany, Cole and Curtis, and their grandchildren’s spouses Michael, Ali, Kathryn, Christian, Angela and Kent; and seven great-grandchildren, Addison, Harper, Lexi, Riley, Tessa, Kody, and Kylee, with one more on the way.

A celebration of Mr. and Mrs. Bailey’s life together will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 10 at Claremont Presbyterian Church, 1111 N. Mountain Ave., with lunch to follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Franklin and Marshall College at fandm.edu/giving, or by check to Franklin and Marshall College, Office of College Advancement, Attn: Advancement Services, PO Box 3003, Lancaster, PA 17604-3003; or the University of Wisconsin, Madison at wisc.edu, or by check to UW Foundation, US Bank Lockbox 78807, Milwaukee, WI 53278-0807.