Marjory J. Sente

Called a woman of great talent and tremendous sense of humor, Claire (also spelled Clara) Dooner was born on January 31, 1887, into a wealthy Los Angeles family. 

Before making a fortune in real estate, her father, Pierton William Dooner, was a pioneer journalist and newspaper editor in Arizona. Along with John H. Marion and Benjamin H. Weaver, he owned The Arizona Miner and The Weekly Arizona Miner in 1871 and 1872. Selling his share of the newspaper, Dooner moved to California and was admitted to its bar.

Claire developed her artistic talents at Stanford University, graduating Phi Beta Kappa in 1908. She was a charter member of the University’s Delta, Delta, Delta Sorority. Graduate work at Columbia University while studying with Arthur Wesley Dow followed, as well as classes at UC-Berkeley and traveling throughout Europe to study art. 

Claire co-founded the Laguna Beach Arts League in 1918. For several years, she taught art at Hollywood High School before moving to Prescott in 1922 after her mother’s passing the prior year.