Claudia White Brown was born on February 10th, 1936 to loving parents, Stephen Leigh White and Arvilla Mae Owens White, in Salt Lake City, UT. Claudia loved her siblings Lee, Les, and Alan and remained very close to them and their families throughout her life. While attending high school Claudia met Gerald Brown and they would go on to start their family that would become the love and joy of her life. Claudia had five children, Robert, Stephen, Sandy, Sue, and Jenny.
Anyone who knew Claudia would describe her as being the hardest working, most optimistic, and loving person. Claudia was passionate about anything she was involved in, especially her family. She was so easy to talk to and was always there with a smile and supporting hand.
Claudia wore many hats throughout her life - at times holding multiple jobs to support her family. For 22 years she loved serving the children of the Jordan/Canyons School district as a school lunch manager. Claudia volunteered with the Utah School Employees Association. In 1990 Claudia received the Outstanding Classified Employee award from Jordan School District. Claudia was beloved by co-workers and all the children she served.
As a woman of faith, it was important to Claudia to be known as a follower of Christ. Claudia was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints where she held many callings including: Primary President, Primary Teacher, In-service Leader, Relief Society Homemaking Leader, Sunday School Teacher, Stake Young Women’s Sports Director, Young Women’s Coach for volleyball, softball, and basketball. Claudia volunteered countless hours for visits at retirement centers and community drives. It was always a priority for Claudia to attend the temple and she spent 15 years as a temple worker. Claudia was able to serve with many at the Jordan River temple and Draper temple.
Claudia’s passion carried over into her hobbies. Any spare time Claudia could find would be spent with countless hours in the yard tending to her roses and irises, or cultivating one of her many talents that included; sewing, cake decorating, cooking and creating recipes, making porcelain dolls and their clothes, making jewelry and crocheting. Claudia would freely share her knowledge of all these things with anyone who had an interest. She also loved being outside, in the mountains, and especially Yellowstone.
Claudia’s very most important thing in life was her family. Claudia loved everything that had to do with her family, whether it was a family reunion or attending various events for her kids and grandkids. Claudia would prioritize that time so she could be there for the people who were blessed to call her sister, mom, grandma, aunt, or cousin. Countless hours were spent making baby blankets for her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Claudia kept track of current events for all her posterity. Filled with pride in her family she would display proudly even the smallest achievement and had a great story to share along with it. That pride in family also drew her into genealogy. Researching, documenting, and archiving her family history was another work that she was happily involved in.
Claudia worked for all those around her until her body finally began to fail her. Over the past few years, she was forced to slow down and accept the help of others. The family would like to thank Elevation and their staff and all those who had a hand in the care and service of Claudia.
Claudia passed on May 10th, 2022, surrounded by her family at 86 years old in Midvale, UT. She was preceded in death by her son Stephen and a granddaughter Tami. She is survived by her siblings: Lee (Jacque) White, Les (Kathy) White, Alan (Sheryl) White; her children: Rob (Connie) Brown, Sandy (Jim) Hicks, Sue Chapman, Jenny (Christian) McVey; 33 grandchildren, 58 great grandchildren and 8 great-great grandchildren.
It is our family’s testimony that she still lives on. She is no longer limited by her aging body. Claudia will be very busy - hard at work gathering people together and tending the gardens in heaven. She will still be watching over all of us as she always has. As that day comes for each of us to return home, there will be a colorful array of roses and irises blooming. We will see that smile and feel that welcome hug again. What a joyous day that will be.
The family will receive friends on Friday, May 20th from 6 – 8 P.M. and Saturday May 21st from 12 – 12:45 P.M. The service will be held on Saturday, May 21st at 1 PM at 1050 E. Chapel Hill Dr. Interment will be at Wasatch Memorial 3401 S Highland Dr.
