01/30/2018
Ann Roberta (Thompson) McClure married James Donald (Don) McClure on October 18, 1948. They had six children between 1949 and 1961: Peggy, Pat, Debbie, Dan, Thom and Mary Louis.
The grandparents became lovingly known by their grandchildren as “Andy” and “Papa.”
Ann began working for the IRS in 1967 and soon after moved from Knoxville to Des Moines. The job offered the opportunity to move around the country, and in 1987 the couple headed to Terrell, TX, where they built a house and began new hobbies, including training and showing their two Giant Schnauzers.
From Texas, they moved to Bountiful, UT, where Donald trained and showed horses and they both enjoyed trail riding with groups of friends. Their children spread out from Iowa to Western cities.
As Ann advanced at the IRS, her children celebrated her achievements by making and wearing sweatshirts that proclaimed, “My Mom Is A Grade 13.”
When Ann retired, they packed up again and moved to a farm they referred to as “Misty Meadows” outside of Winlock, WA, which came to be known by children and grandchildren as the “mini-farm.”
Ann and Don planted an extensive garden and continued to train colts and show them. They spent many a day industriously pursuing their hobbies and chores.
Their home was beautiful and welcoming to family and friends constantly visiting and eating. Ann’s scalloped potatoes, homemade dressing and holiday pies were favorites.
The couple moved to Seattle in 1998, settling in Ballard, within easy distance of five of their children. The rainy winters provided a perfect excuse to spend time with their sixth offspring in Phoenix. Ann was an active member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and she enjoyed researching the family’s genealogy.
Family was an important focus, and all their years were packed with camping trips, bike and horseback riding, cribbage playing, hiking, stargazing, bird watching, dahlia tending, music playing, volunteering and too many to count baseball, soccer, football, volleyball, track, swim, choir, dance and school events of 13 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.
In 2006 they enjoyed a trip to Ireland with family. The next year, the McClure/Thompson clan gathered in Seattle to mark Papa’s 80th birthday.
As a mother, Ann was a strict disciplinarian and practiced the “tough love” method of raising her children. She was always cheering them on and offering support when needed. Her sewing was legendary, as she created countless pajamas, robes, scarves, shirts, Christmas stockings and tree skirts, typically emblazoned with the label “Made With Love By Andy.”
She is the only person we know who kept a photo album at the table, immediately adding photos as soon as they were printed. No shoeboxes for Ann! No wonder she excelled at the IRS.
Ann was born November 24, 1929, daughter of Wendell Thompson and Maybelle Steele.
Ann was preceded in death by son John Matthew McClure, who died at birth; sister Sue Barbour (Alex) of Chicago; son Thomas Girard (Jennifer) McClure of Seattle; husband Donald; and grandson Miles McClure.
Her beloved pets (who preceded her in death) must be mentioned, the devotion was deep and she couldn’t stand not having a pet to need her: Daisy, Sebastian, Conor, Georgio, Jesse, Murphy and Louie.
She is survived by sister Kay Dainty, Carlisle, IA; children, Margaret “Peg” Lynn Straus, Phoenix; Patrick Joseph (Liz) McClure, Phoenix; Debra Lee McClure, Phoenix; James Daniel (Robbi) McClure, Seattle; Mary Louis McClure, Seattle; 12 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.
Ann and Donald were residents in the President’s Circle at Quail Park in Lynnwood, WA. The family will take this opportunity to thank them for the tender loving care they provided to both.
Andy’s ashes will be buried at the Greenwood Cemetery, Knoxville, IA, at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Published on February 8, 2018.