Claire H. Holley
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Claire Lorraine Holley, who passed peacefully at her home, February 17, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. Claire fought a courageous and painful battle against cancer.
Claire was born January 24, 1957, in Greenville SC, to Rufus Daley Haltiwanger, Jr. and Claire Lorraine Shealy Haltiwanger. She attended Dreher High School in Columbia, SC, in 1975. She went on to the College of Charleston, in Charleston, SC, where she was awarded a Bachelor of Arts in both Political Science and Journalism in 1979. She was a Member of Zeta Tau Alpha (ZTA) International Women’s Fraternity where she cultivated, nurtured, and maintained many lifelong friendships. She also studied Advertising and Public Relations at The University of South Carolina.
Claire began working for the SC Optometric Association (SCOA; now the SCOPA SC Optometric Physician’s Association) in April 1992, as an assistant to the Executive Director, becoming the Executive Director in December 1993. Over the next 15 years she would guide SC Optometry through three major legislative battles, supervised 15 Hilton Head annual seminars, countless organizational meetings, seminars, and events.
She moved to Raleigh NC in the spring of 2008, to become the Executive Director of the NC Veterinary Medical Association (NCVMA). Claire was an outspoken advocate for veterinary medicine, as she was for optometrists in SC. She initiated many programs highlighting the advantages of and encouraging the public to seek veterinary care for their pets. Very public examples of this include her development of Veterinarians’ Day at the Capitol, the NCVMA Disaster Grants and the NCVMA Industry Council. She also developed the marketing campaign “Love Your Pet, See a Vet”, the College PR sports Marketing campaign placing animals in themed videos during college sports events throughout the state.
Her passion, however, was legislative affairs for both the NCVMA and the SCOA. She fiercely protected both associations. It was Claire who led the efforts to help legislators understand that veterinarians truly are healthcare professionals that protect public health for both people and animals.
Claire was preceded in death by her parents Rufus Daley Haltiwanger, Jr and Claire Shealy Haltiwanger. Claire is survived by her two brothers, Buck Haltiwanger, wife Rachel, their children Ryan, Tricia, Robert, and Natalie; and Sandy Haltiwanger, wife Bobbie, their children Amber, Preston, and Katie.
All who knew her will forever miss her infectious laughter and complete love of and zest for life. Claire impacted all of our lives personally in ways we cannot repay. She leaves with us a collage of memories and friendships that can never be taken away.
Please join Family and Friends in a Celebration of Life for Claire H. Holley at the NC State University Club 4200 Hillsborough St, Raleigh NC, 27606 on March 29, 2025, at 2 o’clock, arrival at 1:30-2:00PM. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Saving Grace Rescue in Wake Forest NC, or the animal rescue group of your choice.