Claudia M. Grimm

Claudia Mildred Grimm, of Perkasie, passed away on Saturday, November 1, 2025, in Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia. She was 81.

Born in Philadelphia, Claudia was the daughter of the late John and Mildred (Naughton) Grimm.

Claudia attended Villa Joseph Marie High School, graduating in 1963.

Claudia then furthered her education by attending the former Beaver College (now Arcadia University), where she received a degree in Psychology. She later earned a Master’s degree in Counseling from Villanova University and completed coursework for her doctorate at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City.

Claudia began working at the Bucks County Mental Health and Mental Retardation Department in 1976, where she continued to work as a casework supervisor until 1984. She was also employed as an adjunct professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice (part of the City University of New York). After leaving Bucks County, she pursued her dream and opened a bed and breakfast in Costa Rica in 1994, living there in the mountains for 18 years. During this time, she also enjoyed spending summers in the Pocono Mountains, preparing meals for the children at Tyler Hill Camp.

Later in life, Claudia was a mental health counselor for the U.S. Navy in Pensacola, FL. She also spent three years providing mental health services to the Lower Sioux Nation on the Mdewakanton reservation in Minnesota.

Claudia was married twice. In 1963 she married the father of her two sons, Frank Aitken. She later married William Potashnick.

Her passion for life extended well beyond her professional endeavors. In her free time, Claudia enjoyed cooking and baking of all kinds, even establishing her own small catering business. She was also a life-long avid reader, particularly enjoying historical works. Claudia was happiest when spending time traveling abroad. She had enjoyed the opportunity to travel throughout North and South America, Europe, and Australia.

She always had a special place in her heart for her multiple beloved dogs over the years, most recently, a Shih Tzu mix named “Rory,” whom she loved dearly!

Since moving back to Bucks County with her son, Vincent, and her daughter- in-law, Donna, Claudia had attended Richland Friends Meeting for the past several years.

Above all else, Claudia loved her family deeply and cherished the time spent with them.

Claudia will be dearly missed by her two sons: Dr. Francis Grimm (Victoria) and Vincent Grimm (Donna); her three grandchildren: Francis Grimm Jr, John Grimm, and Juliana Grimm; and her many extended family members and friends.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, John J. Grimm Jr.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Claudia’s name to the United Service Organizations Inc. (USO) at htttps://give.uso.org.