Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Auntie Clara Meacham passes away on Father's Day


Clara was born August 10, 1918 near Nezperce ID to Harry John Hill and Marion Eliza Dussel Hill.

She, Clara Mary Meacham, passed away on June 19, 2011 due to a heart attack. It was quite fitting she pass on on Father's day.  She always wanted to keep that a special day with the family together.  She had said goodbye to her children and grandchildren who were visiting for Father's day with noone knowing it was her time to go that evening.  Her death was peaceful and unexpected.

Clara attended grade school at the Fletcher School near Craigmont ID, the same school where she received  her first teaching position. Clara graduated from Nezperce ID High School in 1936 and from North Idaho Normal School in 1939. Clara taught school at Fletcher, Potlatch ID and Lewiston.

She married Howard (Bud) Doak Meacham on August 23, 1942. They were married in the Hill family home in Nezperce ID by his grandfather, the Reverend A. A. Doak. Family members recall Alexander Arthur Doak, Bud's grandfather, looking at the couple and remarking that this marriage was going to last.

Bud and Clara farmed, ranched and raised their family in the Tom Beall area near Lapwai ID. She was a member of the First Christian Church, 4-H leader, Sunday School teacher, Boy Scout den mother and substitute teacher for the Lapwai School District.

They moved to Clarkston in 1979. Clara was active in PEO - Chapter BR and the Clarkston Tau-Delta Book Club.

Clara is survived by one daughter, Patty and husband George Patton; three sons, Kent and wife Mary, Bruce and wife Robin and Barry and wife Sherri; 11 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by one sister, Hazel Olson.

Clara was preceded in death by her husband Howard (Bud) Meacham in 2006, her parents and a brother, Cecil Hill.

Clara was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. The great-grandkids loved the endless supply of little square cookies. Although she couldn’t swim, she made sure all of her grandchildren had swimming lessons and learned to swim. Every Christmas Clara hung a Christmas stocking for each member of her family and at age 92 she had 58 stockings hung.

The Chapter 31 in Proverbs certainly describes Auntie Clara. "Her children arise up and call her blessed: her husband also, and he praiseth her." Auntie Clara's life was centered around her family.  She had a way of making others feel special and especially loved the children. They were always" too cute"  to her. I really appreciated her passing down cousin Patty's clothes as a child and the times she welcomed me and other cousins into her home. She tried to keep us busy. One time we were just idling our time away in childish play and she got me to baking cookies.  She helped Patty and her friend learn to sew and they were always making matching dresses.  Patty's skills in sewing and thinking of others have been passed down to bless the lives of so many.  She often gave 80th birthday parties for family members which was a special gesture and a fun reason to get together. Auntie Clara had a fragrant smell of  Baby Magic, her favorite lotion, long after she had babies in the house. She was an excellent housekeeper and cook and she was an example to the rest of us.

At her request, no services will be held. Interment will be at the Vineland Cemetery in Clarkston WA.

The family suggests memorials may be made to the Northwest Children’s Home 419 22nd Ave Lewiston ID 83501.

CLARA MARY MEACHAM, 92 CLARKSTON