Claire Doris McLean

Born on August 14, 1933, in Port Washington, Long Island New York, Claire was the daughter of Raymond E. Marshall and Dorothy K. Fenn of Port Washington where he opened a successful shipyard that catered to the New York elite and local boating enthusiast starting in the 1930s.

By 1959, “A & R Marshall” was known as the largest privately owned shipyard on the east coast, and this is where Claire spent a happy nautical childhood. Dorothy Fenn Marshall was known for her artistic talent and sewing and designing skills. They were divorced in 1936 and Claire was raised by her maternal grandmother, Rosemarie Pechin Marshall and paternal aunt, Dorothy Elizabeth who married Fred H. Walsh of Plandome, and afterwards of New York, Cambridge, Flemington, and finally Frenchtown, New Jersey.

After a carefree youth, Claire attended the Port Washington Junior High and the Paul E. Scribner High School, graduating in 1951. Bucknell University was her choice for further study and Claire graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English 1955.

After graduation, Claire became a copy writer at Cunningham and Walsh, a New York Advertising. She soon met her future husband Charles G. McLean, a US Air Force officer, and they were married in 1956. During Charlie’s 25-year military career he and Claire lived around the country raising four children in Texas, Bermuda, Ohio, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and California before retiring finally in Maryland.

Claire continued her interest in art throughout her life and many of her paintings reside in homes from Bermuda to California and Long Island to Florida. Claire was however most well-known for establishing one of the premier American Kennel Club Bouvier des Flandres bloodlines in the United States. Claire’s Uncle Fred and Aunt Dorothy Walsh were one of the pioneers in establishing the big shaggy, magnificent breed in the country. Claire inherited their growing kennel in the early 1970s and turned it into the world famous DEEWAL kennels. Today DEEWAL is a prefix seen on many champion Bouvier des Flandres pedigrees. Under Claire’s direction for over 30 years, DEEWAL Bouviers became well known the world over and won best in show trophies as far away as Europe, South Africa, New Zealand, and Costa Rico to name a few. In several countries, DEEWAL “Bouvs” were the foundational bloodlines for establishing the breed nationally. In America, Claire finished many champions – more to this day than any other kennel – and established records still to be broken. While Claire is no longer at the helm of this great kennel name, it is in the hands of Liz Lunn of Nashville, Tennessee who is busy establishing more records. Under Claire’s determination and direction, she also founded the highly successful Greater Washington Bouvier des Flandres Club (GWBdFC) of which she served on the board of Directors and President for over 25 years. She was also very well known for having authored numerous books including the first definitive books on the Bouvier breed – “The Complete Bouvier des Flandres” and “The Bouvier des Flandres.”

Starting in the 1990’s Claire expanded DEEWAL’s brand to include Portuguese Water Dogs. Just as she had with Bouviers, she established a “bloodline that would stand like a rock against time” raising one of the all-time champion “Porties” who subsequently sired many champions in that growing breed.

Along with advancing and expanding DEEWAL and publishing books, Claire later founded and was president of the “Presidential Pet Museum” and website. After becoming the official White House groomer for President Reagan’s bouvier “Lucky,” Claire became fascinated by the history of the White House’s many varied animal occupants and became on expert on the subject. She developed a large collection of artifacts, memorabilia, books, articles, and a line of gift shop items and hand paintings of all the pets for the museum. Claire was often sought for interviews by major networks whenever the presidents’ pets made the news. The museum was highly popular for over 15 years enjoying exposure first in Lothian Maryland, then in Annapolis, Maryland and finally at the President's Park in Williamsburg, Virginia before Claire retired and sold the collection to another avid supporter of presidential pets.

Claire was tragically preceded in death by her eldest beloved son Cevon M. McLean and her dear sister, Virginia D. Martus. Claire is survived by her three remaining children Chari R. McLean, CDR Christie M. Applequist USN (Ret), and Col Charles A. McLean II, USMC (Ret), her nine grandchildren, and her five siblings Linda Cashman, Bill Marshall, Chris Marshall, Charles Marshall, and Liz Marshall.

Claire requested no service or flowers, but that donations on her behalf be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.