Katherine Claire Cotton, Claire to her family and friends, passed away February 13, 2017 in Kirkland at the age of 91. She was born February 25,1925 in San Francisco,CA. The youngest daughter of Katherine and Bruce Thornton. Claire was raised roller-skating on the hills of San Francisco with her sisters Jean and Carol. Claire was passionate about sports. She was a great competitor, played tennis, skied and loved to watch sports of all kinds.
Claire graduated from Presentation Academy High School in June 1942. She went onto attend University of California and completed her BA in June 1945. Claire began her work life at Standard Oil and spent her free time with friends raising money to build the Alpineers ski lodge near Lake Tahoe. That is where she met the man she would marry, John Cotton (Jack to his friends). A few years later Claire and her husband Jack settled in Bellevue, WA to raise their growing family. Claire was very active in her church. She volunteered her time at all her kids schools and later went on to work in both grief ministry and the catacumenant programs to Sacred Heart Church, Bellevue. The family vacationed all over the west exploring nature in the state and national parks of the western states. Claire and Jack had 62 happy years together before Jack’s passing in early 2015.
Claire is survived by her children Cathy, John, Tom, James and Michelle as well as 15 grand children 9 great-grand children and 2 great great grand children.
She is preceded in death by her beloved husband Jack, her daughters Mary, Liz and Laura and her sister Carol.
Visiting hours will be held at Sunset Hills in Bellevue February 24th from 4-7pm. Services will be held Saturday Feb 25th 2017 at 10am, reception immediately following. Burial will be a Sunset Hills at 1pm the same day.
In lieu of flowers please consider a gift to goredforwomen.org
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