Dr. Claudia Ann Clague

Claudia (Claudette) Ann Clague passed away peacefully at her home on August 16, 2021 surrounded by her children. Claudia was born in Butte on July 5, 1934 the only child of Catherine (Kate) and Bill Hoy. Growing up on Iowa Street, she attended St. Joseph’s school, rode the trolly cars, spent time at the train depot where her father worked and at the Columbia Gardens. She would often tell us of the school dances in the pavilions. While attending Girls Central High School mom began working at Hennessy’s Department store at the age of 16. At the age of 18 she began attending Western Montana College in Dillon to become a teacher and finished her second year at Eastern Montana College in 1953. That year she began teaching first grade at Longfellow Elementary School in Butte and became engaged. On December 28, 1955 she and Harry Clague married at St. Joseph’s church. In 1955 married women could not teach in the local public schools so she began teaching Kindergarten and second grade at St. Joseph’s School. In 1970 she completed her Bachelor’s Degree from Western Montana College. Between 1958 and 1968 Claudia and Harry were blessed with six children. Her beloved husband Harry passed in 1973. She returned to teaching at Hawthorne Elementary that fall and it was her salvation. Education had always been a security blanket for mom and with the support of her mother Kate and the Eva family she returned to pursue her education and in 1975 completed her Masters of Education from Western Montana College. She and a few others including former Congressman Pat Williams traveled to Dillon nightly to complete evening coursework. Mom returned to teach 4th grade at Hawthorne Elementary until 1979 when she took a sabbatical from the Butte School district to pursue her Doctorate Degree in Education from Montana State University, completing in 1980 and returning to East Middle School as a school counselor. During her extensive career as an educator, she spent time at St. Joseph’s, Hawthorne, Longfellow, East Middle School, West Junior High, Hillcrest, Ramsey School and Central High School as well at Montana Tech where she taught Psychology. She retired from the Butte School District in 1986. She was an active member of the Butte Catholic community through St. Joseph, St. John’s and St. Ann’s parishes. She was an affiliate of the Sisters of Charity, Leavenworth. In 1988 she moved to Leavenworth, Kansas to teach with the Sisters of Charity at St. Mary’s College. In 1991 mom received certification from the National Board of Certified Counselors and began counseling at Warm Springs Treatment Center as well as private counseling in addiction, family counseling and spiritual counseling. Mom was an active member of the Salvation Army Board of Directors and Butte Business Women for many years. She worked tirelessly to help improve the lives of those in Butte and surrounding communities. Mom was an accomplished painter and published author. She completed many Butte histories and stories. Her favorites were ones she wrote about Irish Fairies, Tommyknockers and Leprechauns. Several of her Butte history and fiction works were available at local bookstores. In 1997 her poem “An Uncommon Land” was published in the National Anthology of Poetry and in 2002 The International Library of Poetry awarded her the Laureate Certificate in Poetry and published “Ode to Women”. Her Irish heritage was a great source of pride and she studied the Gaelic language for years becoming proficient in speaking and writing; often greeting you with “Slainte”. Claudia was proceded in death by her husband Harry and her parents, cousins Bud and Jewel Eva. She is survived by her children, Dan (Suzanne) Clague, Mary (George) Lampman, Rosemarie (Dennis) Olney, Mike (Susanne) Clague, Dennis (Janet) Clague and Julie (Mike) Heard. Grandchildern, Dale (Dani) Butori, Derek (Holly) Butori, Cristin (Scott) McGregor, Patrick (Bethany) Clague, Catherine (Katie) and Laura Clague, Scott, Ryan and Jack Clague. Great-Grandchildren, Madison Butori, Allie, Caden and Damon Butori, Lillian and Vivienne Clague and Parker McGregor. Cousins Loralee and Gene Davenport and sister-in-law Marianne Crain. We would like to thank the caring professionals at Senior Solutions of Butte. (Kate, Aubree, Tricia, Suni, Peggy, Angel, Sheena, Julie, Jorden and many others). It is only because of the compassionate care they provided that Mom was able to remain in her beloved home. Thank you. Cremation has taken place. Funeral mass will be celebrated Thursday morning at 10 o’clock in St. Joseph Catholic Church and interment will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please consider memorials to the Multiple Sclerosis Society, Sisters of Charity and/or the donor’s choice. As her children, our every success was her’s, our every failure she taught us to learn and grow from, her legacy will remain in the faith, family, and knowledge she installed in all of us and so many throughout our community. In her words; For You. For today may there be peace in your soul, May you be in the place you were meant to be. Remember infinite possibilities meant for you Possibilities born of faith and gifts you have received. May you pass on the love given to you as a child of God, Let the presence of the Creator settle into your bones, Giving your soul a voice for song, feet for dance, Smile in the sun for it is the gift of the Father, a promise of new life.

Tributes

Dr. Claudia Ann Clague

July 5, 1934 - August 16, 2021