Claire Angela (Keller) Viette
Claire Angela (Keller) Viette, 88, wife of Andre Martin Viette, of Fishersville, Virginia, passed away on Friday, September 26, 2025, in The Regency at Augusta.
Born on November 12, 1936, to Frank August Keller and Julie Sarli Keller, Claire grew up on Long Island, New York, where her father owned a small nursery business. From a young age, Claire was immersed in the world of plants. As chief propagator in her father's nursery, she cultivated not only plants, but a deep and lasting passion for horticulture—one that would shape her entire life.
A gifted student, Claire graduated as Valedictorian of Hicksville High School in 1954. She earned her degree in Biological Sciences and Horticulture from the State University of New York at Farmingdale, laying the groundwork for her future in both science and business. Out of curiosity, she tested her aptitude and was admitted to American Mensa.
Claire and her husband, Andre Viette, married on June 17, 1956, and began a remarkable partnership that blended family, horticulture, travel, and enterprise. Together, they developed Martin Viette Nurseries on Long Island into a large, successful retail nursery and garden center. After selling the business, they moved to Fishersville, Virginia, in the 1970s, where Claire lived for the next 50 years.
In Virginia, Claire was the business manager of Viette Nurseries, Inc. and Viette Communications, Inc. With her husband, she co-led educational and horticultural tours across the United States, Europe, South America, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the Caribbean. She and Andre spent meaningful time in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, where they welcomed visitors to their gardens and home.
Claire also engineered and produced remote broadcasts of the long-running radio program, "In the Garden with Andre Viette," and was actively involved in horticultural lectures and seminars across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast.
In addition to her botanical work, Claire was a licensed Real Estate Broker with Cook Land Co., Secretary of the Waynesboro Board of Realtors, and a member of the Virginia Farm Bureau. Her leadership and dedication extended across industries and communities.
She was a woman of strong faith, and an active member of St. James Lutheran Church in Fishersville. Her spiritual life was an anchor, and her love for others a guiding light.
Claire will be remembered as brilliant, loving, fiercely capable, and endlessly curious. Her family remembers her as smart, loving and caring – a virtual encyclopedia of knowledge – in both plants and general knowledge. She raised a family while running a business and made it all seem effortless.
She was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Frank and Julie Keller; her sister, Lucille Kochersberger; her niece, Linda Kochersberger; and her nephew Deryck Lee.
She is survived by her husband of 69 years, Andre Viette, and their children, Mark Viette of Fishersville, VA, Scott Viette and his wife Kathy Viette of, Roanoke, VA, Holly (Viette) Sterner of Poquoson, VA, Heather (Viette) Freeman and her husband, Dr. George Freeman of Poquoson, VA, and Renee Viette and her husband, Dr. Kirk Barbieri of Charlottesville, VA; her grandchildren, Dr. Michael Freeman and his wife, Arshia Freeman of Richmond, VA, Dr. Magen Cullinan and her husband, Alex Cullinan of St. Thomas, USVI, Tiffany Viette of Roanoke, VA, Rachel Sterner of Poquoson, VA, Drew Sterner and his wife, Dr. Sabrina Sterner of Pittsburgh, PA, Camille Freeman of Austin, TX, Tyler Viette of Roanoke, VA, Colin Freeman of Christiansburg, VA, Tyler Clayton of Fishersville, VA and Lauren Clayton of Richmond, VA; a great-granddaughter, Noor Freeman of Richmond, VA; and nieces, Donna Jackson, Janice McGuire and Noelle Lee.
The family kindly requests no visitors at their residence during this time. They deeply appreciate your love and support and welcome friends to join them at the visitation and church service.
The family will receive friends on Friday, October 10, 2025, from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Coffman Funeral Home and Crematory.
A celebration of life will be held by Reverend Gordon Putnam at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, 500 S Wayne Ave, Waynesboro, VA 22980.
Burial will follow at St. James Lutheran Church.
Pallbearers will include Mark Viette, Scott Viette, Dr. George Freeman, Dr. Michael Freeman, Dr. Kirk Barbieri, Drew Sterner, Colin Freeman, and Mike Western.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. James Lutheran Church, 320 St. James Road, Fishersville, VA 22939.
Coffman Funeral Home and Crematory, 230 Frontier Drive, Staunton, is in charge of her arrangements.
Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.coffmanfuneralhome.net
