Claire Mooney

Claire J. Mooney (nee Ververs) will be remembered as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, friend, and lifelong learner. She cherished every moment spent with her family, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, happily engaging in games for hours. Competitive by nature, Claire always made sure victories were earned - never simply handed out. She was smart, beautiful, curious, kind, happy, adventurous, classy, and content with life.

Claire shared 65 years of marriage with John J. Mooney, the love of her life. John was internationally recognized as the co-inventor of the three-way catalytic converter and held 17 patents. He often shared that Claire was the one who transformed his technical drafts into clear, accessible documents for all to understand.

Her passion for learning was matched by her determination; while raising five children, Claire earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and later a Master’s in Accounting.  She used her accounting degree to volunteer at the senior citizens center to help the elderly prepare their taxes. 

An independent spirit, Claire loved to travel. Claire, with her husband John, traveled to each of the seven continents together seeking to experience the world. She often accompanied John on his global work trips, exploring cities and countries on her own when he was occupied, then reuniting with him in the evenings to share their adventures. What stories she would tell of her adventures, she often spoke of her trip to Cuba with her sister.

Claire was also an athlete. She and John played tennis and competed in club tournaments together. She played competitive tennis at a high level, skied, hiked, golfed, swam, and did water ballet. Later, she worked at a health and fitness club, where she was a receptionist, opened the club at the crack of dawn, assisted with accounting, and fostered her love for wellness.

Skiing was a family passion, and each winter the Mooney clan spent time at Mad River Glen in Vermont.  Claire met the love of her life on a ski trip in Lake Placid, NY. Claire became actively involved in the North Jersey Whiz Skiers, where her husband was a founding member. She served on numerous committees as well as volunteering as treasurer for many years. Claire enjoyed Vermont for its many activities in the Summer and Fall as well as in the winter. 

Claire was an avid reader. She also enjoyed golf, gardening, video games, art, painting, music,  watching Wheel of Fortune, and Jeopardy.

Claire is predeceased by her husband of 65 years, John, her daughters Baby Susan and Noreen (Richard) Dominguez, her Sister’s Helen (Fred) Rocco and Dorothy (Bill) Saller. She is survived by her brother Bob Ververs (Doris). Her children will deeply miss her: John D. Mooney, Marybeth (Tomasz) Stachowiak, Kathleen (Michael Goldberg) Mooney, and Elizabeth Mooney Convery. Claire’s legacy lives on through her beloved grandchildren: Michael (Noreen), Kaitlyn (Daniel), David (Mary Kate), Joseph, Sean (Heather), Brianne (Sam), Ryan, Brian (Katrina), Eric, Megan (West), Brendan, Kevin, Evan (Molly), and Katherine. Great-grandchildren: Jacob, Saoirse, Fox, Max, Conor, Benjamin, Leo, Vivian, and Nolan.

Claire’s spirited love of family, learning, adventure, and sport will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by all who knew her.

The Mooney family will receive friends on Friday, August 1, 2025 from 5:00 until 7:00 pm at the Vander Plaat Funeral Home, 257 Godwin Ave, Wyckoff, NJ.  A funeral mass will be held Saturday, August 2, 2025 10:00AM at Church of the Nativity, 315 Prospect Street, Midland Park, NJ. Interment will follow at Maryrest Cemetery, Mahwah, NJ.

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