Laura Jane Clifford, 98

Laura Jane (Reece) Clifford died peacefully on Oct. 15, 2015, joining her beloved husband, Albert, exactly seven years to the day of his death on Oct. 15, 2008. Jane was born on April 2, 1917. in Kellogg, Idaho, to Giles F. Reece and Velma Maude Reece.

Her father was in the retail lumber business and a building contractor and her mother was a homemaker. She was the eldest of two daughters in the family. Jane loved school and learning new things. She learned to play the piano very early and eventually taught piano to young students. She also enjoyed art. She learned to paint and sculpt and let her natural surroundings inspire her artwork.

Jane graduated from Kellogg High School in 1935. Shortly after graduation Jane and her sister, Helen, began making dresses for ladies in the Silver Valley. She sewed her own clothes and they were so admired that she and her sister started sewing dresses for a profit and it became a little business. Jane also taught sewing to many of the women in Kellogg. When Jane moved into Coeur d’Alene Homes in 2012, one of the women she taught to sew was also a resident there. The woman still had her notebook with all of her notes from her sewing lessons, and she gave it to Jane.

Jane was always very fond of dancing and it became an important part of her life. She met her future husband, Albert, at a local dance and they were married on June 11, 1942, in Kellogg. They had two sons, Gayne and Robert, and she was always involved in their school activities. She continued to paint throughout her life and many of her original oil paintings adorn the homes of family and friends. She and Albert loved to dance, and they participated in many dance activities over the years including several square dance groups that danced throughout the West and Canada in competitions. She loved to play cards, and enjoyed fishing and spending time at their cabin on Lake Coeur d’Alene.

Upon Albert’s retirement in 1970, they moved to their summer home on Lake Coeur d’Alene, and it was then that they began their many years of traveling throughout the United States and Mexico — first in their trailer and eventually acquiring a motor home. She and Albert were founding members of the Lake City Good Sam Club and spent many years traveling with their friends in the travel club. She also traveled to Germany, Italy, France, the Netherlands, England, Austria, Belgium and many other places in Europe while her son, Gayne, was serving overseas in the military.

Eventually, she and Albert purchased property in Apache Junction, Ariz., and they became “Snow Birds,” moving south to Apache Junction in the winter where they had a large group of friends and were active in many community events. They would then return to their lake home in the summer and enjoy life on the lake with their family. Jane and Albert celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary in June 2008.

Jane was preceded in death by her father, Giles; her mother, Maude; her sister, Helen and her husband, Albert. She is survived by her sons, Gayne (and Jo) Clifford and Robert (and Stacey) Clifford, all of Coeur d’Alene; and stepson Ron (and Amelia) Clifford of Los Angeles, Calif.; grandsons Jason (and Lucy) Clifford and Chad (and Tia) Clifford; and great-grandsons Charlie, Sam and Liam all of Coeur d’Alene.

Her special joy was being visited by her great-grandsons and walking around the loop at Coeur d’Alene Homes — and Nana always had cookies for the boys! She said that if she could have one wish granted, it would be to live long enough to see what sort of men they grow up to be. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to express their thanks to the excellent nurses and staff of The Village at Orchard Ridge (formerly Coeur d’Alene Homes) for their loving care. Thanks also to Hospice of North Idaho for their care in her final days. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made in Jane’s name to either The Village at Orchard Ridge (624 W. Harrison Ave., Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814) or Hospice of North Idaho (9493 N. Government Way, Hayden, ID 83835).

A private family graveside service will be held Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2015. Yates Funeral Home, Coeur d’Alene Chapel, is entrusted with the care of final arrangements. Please visit Jane’s online memorial and sign her guest book at www.yatesfunerahomes.com.