Claudia Azkoul Walters, a follower of Jesus Christ, went to be with her Lord on April 11, 2019. Claudia had a long and successful career as an educator and retired from the Forest Hills School System as an English teacher five years ago. She was passionate about teaching. Knowing that what students need most is attention, she devoted her time establishing relationships with them by finding out all she could about their families, interests, and their lives. Claudia had a knack for making people feel important by seeing them, hearing them and understanding them. She loved to kid around with them and her sense of humor was unique, quick-witted, and perfectly timed. She was famous for her one-liners. Claudia had the gift of hospitality. She loved living on the shores of Lake Michigan in two beautiful homes that she designed. Her joy was to host her family and friends for days and weekends in the idyllic natural beauty of her surroundings filled with fun, laughter and bountiful food. Even after a Parkinson's diagnosis seven years ago, Claudia took multiple international trips with family and dear friends. She was determined to manage this new reality with exercise, healthy habits, and keeping her body strong. Long walks around South Haven were treasured part of her daily routine. Claudia was considered a fiercely loyal friend, confidant, advisor and role model. Her greatest legacy was her amazing marriage to Tom, her best friend and soul mate. She was strong, courageous and intellectually curious. She touched a multitude of lives with her patience, kindness, generosity, love of family and most importantly, her love for Jesus. Claudia was preceded in death by her father, William N. Azkoul. She will be deeply missed by her loving husband of 39 years, Tom Walters, two daughters, Colby and Carly Walters, her mother Bernice Azkoul, her sisters Christine Cameron, Terry Azkoul (John Balles), her brother William M. Azkoul (Janis), her many nieces and nephews, and Porter, her loyal dog. Visitation will be Monday, April 15 from 2-4 and 6-8 pm at Ofield Funeral Home at 4500 Kalamazoo Ave. SE, Kentwood, MI 49508. A Celebration of Claudia's life will be held on Tuesday, April 16, 2019 at 11 am at Calvary Church, 707 E. Beltline Ave. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525 with Pastor Tom Olsson officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Claudia's honor can be made to the Van Andel Institute for Parkinson's Disease Research, 333 Bostwick Ave. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, or online at VAI.org.



Service Information

Visitation
When: Monday, April 15, 2019 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Location: Ofield Funeral Home
Address: 4500 Kalamazoo Avenue SEKentwood,MI 49508

Second Visitation
When: Monday, April 15, 2019 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Location: Ofield Funeral Home
Address: 4500 Kalamazoo Avenue SEKentwood,MI 49508

Service
When: Tuesday, April 16, 2019 11:00am
Location: Calvary Church
Address: 707 E. Beltline Ave NEGrand Rapids,Michigan 49525