Clare Coates Werkenthin was born on the 4th of July, 1934. She was always proud that everyone had a holiday on her birthday. Her parents were Florence and William W. Coates, Jr. of Austin. After a long struggle with Alzheimer's disease Clare left this world on April 2, 2009. She is survived by her husband, Conrad, brother, William Waldron Coates III and his wife, Carol; son Arthur Werkenthin and his wife Melinda, daughter Clare Louise Clark and her husband, Jim, grandson James, and granddaughter Morgan Clark. She is also survived by nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and Penny, her beloved springer spaniel. Clare graduated from Pease School, University Junior High, Austin High and the University of Texas where she received a BA majoring in English and Art. She was a member of University Presbyterian Church and served as an Elder. She was also a member of Kappa Alpha Theta, the Junior League of Austin, and she served as a docent at the Blanton Art Museum. She was a co-owner of the Kerby Lane Gallery with many of her artist friends and when she was not taking care of her family or Conrad's family, she immersed herself in the world of art. She painted in oils and water colors and she was a print maker. Her paintings and etchings are found in many homes in Texas and Maine. She was proud to be a member of the WPA-Women Printmakers of Austin. She was extremely talented and painted the beauty around her in paintings of birds and landscapes of Texas, Colorado, and Maine. In later life during her illness, she continued for a number of years to sail, create beautiful prints of many subjects, and travel, especially to her beloved home in Maine. Senior Helping Hands and its staff of Caregivers, Patti, Mollie, Marva, Dee, Mary, Frances, Yolanda, Maurice, Tom, Esperanza, and others assisted Clare in nine years of need. Thanks also to the kind staffs at the Buckner, Southwood Nursing Center and Hospice Austin for their loving care of Clare. Memorial services will be held at University Presbyterian Church on Monday, April 6 at 1:00 pm. In lieu of flowers gifts may be made in Clare's name to the Alzheimer's Association of Austin and Hospice Austin.
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