Wilder, VT- Claudia Brandenburg, 78, died peacefully, surrounded by family and friends, on Wednesday, November 30, 2022, at her home in Wilder. Claudia was born August 29, 1944, to Clyde and Ellen (Jabbour) Parminter, and spent her early childhood in Youngstown, OH. Her family moved to Ann Arbor, MI, when she was still young. As a young adult, she met and married Kurt Brandenburg of Three Rivers, MI, in 1967. They made their homes in Michigan, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New Hampshire. After their divorce, she moved to the Upper Valley and has resided here since.

Claudia graduated from Ann Arbor's Pioneer High School in 1962. She received her BA from Eastern Michigan University in 1966 and her MSW from Smith College in 1988.

A common thread through all of Claudia's life was being of service to others. She helped build equity and inclusion for individuals experiencing contentious crises: people with HIV/AIDS, the poor and indigent, and those facing housing discrimination. For many years she held her own private practice. As a hospice social worker in suburban Philadelphia, she helped found one of the first AIDS hospices in the country. She was a director of case management at the largest men's homeless shelter, also in Philadelphia. She retired after 15 years supporting adoptive and foster families here in the Upper Valley at Casey Family Services.

Claudia was a founding member of Cobb Hill, a sustainable living co-housing community in Hartland. A practicing Buddhist for most of her adult life, she was also a founding member of the Valley Insight Meditation Society. She was an avid reader and bird watcher. She loved poetry, classical music, walking, hiking, and kayaking. She was passionate about racial justice.

Claudia's circle of friends was vast. She was kind and compassionate, always striving to hear, understand, and honor others' points of view. She was a deeply caring friend and citizen, always present with a kind word, willing to help anyone in need. She assisted the elderly with tasks they could no longer manage alone, such as doctor's appointments and grocery shopping. She donated items regularly to The Haven and The Listen Center.

Claudia is survived by a son, Benjamin Parker Brandenburg, and his wife Nicole (Bodine) of Oak Island, NC; a daughter, Claire Ellen Taylor, and her partner Beth Storer of Lancaster, PA; her life partner, Diane S. Sievers, of S. Deerfield, MA; two sisters, Eileen Joyce and Yvonne Parmentier; two granddaughters, Annalise Taylor and Abigail Allen, and former husband, Kurt Brandenburg, and his wife, Nancy.

A celebration of Claudia's life will be held in the spring. Knight Funeral Home in White River Junction assisted with arrangements and online condolences are appreciated at www.knightfuneralhomes.com

Claudia was a passionate social justice advocate who dedicated her life to helping marginalized members of our community. In that spirit and in her memory, the family appreciates donations to the Equal Justice Initiative at www.eji.org .