Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage. -Anais Nin

Claudia Joan Beall, age 80, of Richmond, passed away on Thursday, April 7, 2016 with family by her side. She was born to the late Alfred Andrew Kraus, Sr. and Josephine Constance Sepulveda on January 4, 1936. Claudia was born and raised in Richmond, California. She graduated from Richmond High School in 1954. After graduation, Claudia spent time in the banking and insurance fields. In 1958, she met and married Edgar F. Beall and they soon welcomed their daughter, Dana, and son, Brian. They lived in Maryland, where Claudia devoted herself to her children and cultivating her life-long love of art, studying sculpting and painting.

Claudia was always known as a courageous and bold woman, who faced adversity with grace and an inner strength few could match. In the 1970’s, as a single mother, Claudia worked in the printing industry. As a woman doing “man’s work” she faced tremendous bias and ridicule. To prove those who dismissed her wrong, she made it her business to learn everything there was to know about offset printing, ultimately starting her own shop and leaving the naysayers behind.

On December 31, 1977, Claudia moved back to Richmond with her son Brian, so she could be closer to her family and native environment. She opened her print shop, which she named Sepulveda Printing, after her Californio ancestors. For close to 20 years Claudia could be found standing at the printing press personally producing quality work. She was deeply involved in the Point, including as a long standing member of the Point Richmond Business Association. Because of Claudia, the shop, which later became known as Point Richmond Print Shop, developed into a thriving business and social hangout, complete with great paintings, a giant red rocking chair, and a cast of regular “groupies.” Long before emails or the internet, folks would stop to pick up some copies or a fax and stick around to chat about the goings-on in town.

Claudia’s bravery was tested in the late 1990’s when her long battle with Crohn’s disease required her to retire. Though she missed being in the middle of things, she enjoyed her home and garden and her dear friends in Atchison Village and, most importantly, time with her children and beautiful granddaughters. While in her final years her illness caused her to spend most of her time at Contra Costa Regional Medical Center and Vale Health Center, she still made friends easily and brought cheer and love to all around her. She was a shining star.

Claudia was very proud of her heritage as a descendant of the Californios, as are her survivors. She was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved sisters, Nancy and Irma Jane, and her brother, Alfred Jr. She is survived by her daughter, Dana Dean of Benicia, her son, Brian (Lisa) Beall of Albany, her cherished, darling granddaughters Madolyn Dean and April Beall, her cousin, Gordon Moore, her nephew, Brad MacLane, her nieces, Kathryn Sturgis-Bright and Stephanie Sturgis, and their families.

A memorial services is planned at First United Methodist Church at 201 Martina Street in Point Richmond on April 30, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. Interment will be private. The family wishes to thank all of those who cared for Claudia during the last several years, including the doctors, nurses, and staff at Contra Costa County Regional Medical Center, especially the staff on 5D surgical unit, the Richmond Health Center and Vale Health Center. Donations may be made to the Contra Costa Regional Health Foundation, the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America, or the Audubon Society. The family can be reached at dana@danadean.com or brianbeall94706@gmail.com.