Verna A. McClure, 97, a longtime Skagit Valley resident, passed at her home in Sedro-Woolley on October 8, 2019.
Verna was born in Erskine, MN on December 23, 1921, the daughter of Herman & Helga (Loff) Petersen. She was raised and attained her education in Minnesota.
In 1941 Verna moved with her family to the Skagit Valley, residing in Hamilton. There she met Lyle McClure, and just prior to his military departure in 1944 they married. Upon his return they made their home at Punkin Center near Hamilton.
Verna, and Lyle, worked as occupational therapists at Northern State Hospital until its closure in 1973. Verna then volunteered her time to numerous organizations around the Skagit Valley for many years. She and Lyle also raised registered Black Angus cattle on their farm for many years.
Verna was a member of the Forester’s, Soroptimist International, the Retired State Employees Union and the Concrete Historical Society. She also wrote a monthly recipe column for the Concrete Herald called Verna’s Kitchen.
Verna is survived by her sister, Eva Hall of Burlington; nephew, Richard Hall and his wife, Maria of Avondale, AZ; nieces, Nancy Hall of Punkin Center and Cathy Arthur of Sedro-Woolley and brother-in-law, Dick McClure of Bellingham. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Lyle in 2015 and by her brother-in-law, Richard Hall, Sr.
Memorials in honor of Verna are suggested to the Skagit County Boys & Girls Club.
A Life Celebration gathering will be held at the Country Meadow Village in Sedro-Woolley on Saturday, October 19, 2019 from 2:00P.M. to 4:00P.M. Cremation arrangements are under direction of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley. Share memories of Verna and sign the online guest register.
Verna was one of the first people we met in 1985 after coming here from Chicago. She was an amazing woman, friendly, compassionate, and full of love for the world. We bought beef from she and Lyle when we could afford to and they were always available with a smile for a chat now and again when we ventured “up river”. She will be missed and her legacy as a good Christian woman will be remembered. Godspeed Verna!
I volunteered with Verna at the Sedro-Woolley Community Suppers. Such a wonderful person and fun to work with. I’ll miss visiting her at Country Meadow Village.
Verna was a remarkable person. She and Lyle contributed much for the good of the people of Skagit County and beyond. She will be missed, she will be remembered.
I am very sad with the news of Verna’s padding. Lyle and Verna became my friends in 1973 just as I graduated from high school and was off to college. They always remained an inspiration to me and my continual volunteering efforts. They will never be forgotten!
Lyle and Verna were my friends from when I first met them in 1973 until I moved to Verna’s native Minnesota in 2015 just after Lyle passed. I am heart broken to hear of Verna’s passing. I will never forget their friendship over 40 years from when I was 18 years and just graduated from high school.
All my sympathies,
Deanna Ray
Verna always had a smile and a kind word to share with everyone she met. We all miss her at the Concrete Saturday Market 💔
Such a wonderful lady that I probably met over 50 years ago. She was always so friendly and such a great Baker. The valley was a better place because of Verna.
Cant tell you how sad this made me , I have known Verna and Lyle for a few years , met them at the Concrete Senior Center at the weekly market . I loved them both for their kindness they showed to all . Verna will be missed , as Lyle was and is .