Claudia Perry grew up in Suitland Maryland just outside Washington, DC. As a child she traveled extensively in Africa where her father worked on loan from the US Census Bureau to the UN Commission for Africa. She graduated from MIT with a degree in Art and Design in 1981. She then worked as a music critic and sports reporter for several newspapers including the Richmond Times-Dispatch, the Houston Post, and the Star-Ledger in Jersey City, NJ. In 1997, Claudia was a four day winner on Jeopardy! and appeared in the Tournament of Champions, the Masters Tournament, and the Battle of the Decades. In 1999 she was Grammy Nominated with Bill Ivey and others for the liner notes for "From Where I Stand - The Black Experience in Country Music." Claudia became a member of the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame Nominating Committee. She also served as president of the Society for American Baseball Research. With her Jeopardy! winnings she visited Australia and New Zealand with her sister, Kathryn. Other trips she enjoyed were to Antartica and to Finland. 

Claudia moved to Evanston, IL in 2010. She worked for the Chicago Tribune and then as a freelance journalist, grant project coordinator at Loyola University, and paralegal. 

She was predeceased by her parents and her sister. She is survived by numerous members of her chosen families including the Jeopardy! family, the MIT Club of Chicago and BAMIT, her trivia team Third Podium, the Chicago Man City Fan Club, and her family here at Grace Lutheran Church in Evanston.

Memorial Service 10:00 am Saturday May 25, 2024 at Grace Lutheran Church, 1430 South Boulevard, Evanston 60202. Interment private. Arrangements entrusted to Evanston Funeral & Cremation, Roland F. Weis director. Info 847 866-8843, condolence and guestbook at evanstonfuneral.com