Helen Claire Leonard McClure

Helen Claire Leonard McClure, born Dec. 27, 1915, in Bartlett, Iowa, died July 10, 2009, in Fort Collins, Colorado. Helen spent her early years in Bartlett and Tabor, Iowa. After graduating from high school, she moved to Lincoln, NE, attended business school and worked as a secretary before and after raising her daughters. She married L.E. "Mac" McClure in 1936. In 1948 they moved to Fort Collins, Colorado. They were delighted to be in Colorado and immediately began exploring the mountains where they spent many happy days hiking and camping with their two daughters. Family was always very important to Helen. She grew up with a large extended family of cousins, aunts and uncles; she enjoyed family reunions and she produced a family newsletter for many years. Her own family was the center of her life. She was an accomplished seamstress and was much involved in her girls' activities, including Girl Scouts as a leader, piano lessons, PTA and other school activities. She enjoyed cooking, gardening, canning, sewing, reading, walking, hiking, camping, and traveling. She was active in and did volunteer work at church and at the city library, and loved her involvement in P.E.O., promoting women's education. She had a strong interest in English history, geography, American History, local history and current events. She also expressed her love of family through genealogy and compiling valuable family records. In 1958 she started working as a secretary for the Geology Department at Colorado State University. She loved her position there and they loved her for her ready smile, her expertise and helpfulness. She worked with the department for 21 years and made many life time friends. After retirement in 1979 she enjoyed being available to spend time with her four grandchildren, their beloved Gramie. She and Mac enjoyed having time to travel. They traveled to many National Parks and other points in the US, but their favorite trips were to England and Scotland. She is survived by two daughters, Marcia Boggs and Jean Weibel Allmaras and Herman; four grandchildren, Tim Weibel and Stephanie, Amy Williamson and Steve, Ryan Boggs and Sjani, Lara Arledge and Shawn; six great grandchildren, Jake and Haley Williamson, Emily and Lauren Weibel, Sullivan and Cooper Arledge; and Ryan and Sjani's baby who is expected in January. Also surviving is one sister, Ruth and Wayne Erickson and other family, Paul Weibel and Lloyd Boggs. Preceding her in death were her husband, L.E. "Mac" McClure 1990, her brother, Walter Leonard; and sister, Betty June Wilson. A memorial service will be held on Monday, July 20, 2009, 10:00am, at Foothills Unitarian Church, 1815 Yorktown Avenue, Fort Collins. The Reverend Robert A. Geller will officiate. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Poudre River Public Library District or to P.E.O. Educational Loan Fund in care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 W. Olive St., Ft. Collins, CO 80524. We honor and thank her, our Family Matriarch, for her abundant love for each of us.

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Helen Claire Leonard McClure

December 27, 1915 - July 10, 2009