She was born in Chongqing, China, on November 18, 1939. As the child of a diplomat, Claudine had the opportunity to grow up in many different places including Paris, France, Hong Kong, Nicaragua, and Haiti.
Claudine came to Washington, DC in the late 1950’s to study, and it is here where she met her husband Louis. They were married in September of 1961, and she received a BA in French Literature from the George Washington University in 1963.
Claudine taught French at the high school and university levels, but she was a dreamer who dreamed of bigger things. In 1974 she founded Mei-Hwa, the first Chinese school in the DC metro area where Chinese American students could learn the language and culture of their heritage. Her initiative in starting that school has blossomed into what is today a network of Chinese schools in the area that number in the dozens. She was also involved in the organization of Chinese American Women, and the American Association of University Women.
Claudine was a woman of culture and refinement. She loved music, she was artistic, and she aspired to live in a world of politeness, good manners, proper etiquette, proper dress, and an appreciation of the arts. Claudine was someone who would enjoy a visit to a museum followed by a stop at a cafe for a chocolate eclair and a cup of dai au lait. Claudine spoke fluent French, English, Mandarin Chinese, Cantonese, and even spoke Spanish.
Claudine was a devoted mother who channeled her energies into raising her children, and in her later years enjoyed traveling the world with her husband.
She is survived by her husband Louis, her children Charlton and his wife Agnes, Denise and her husband Werner, her grandchildren Bryan and his wife Tran, Rebecca, Rachel, Miya, and her great-grandchildren Madelynn and Maverick.
