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Mary Phyllis McClellan, 93

Our Aunt, Mary Phyllis McClellan, 93, passed away on July 1, 2018, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Because of the compassionate and capable staff at Hospice of Northern Idaho, our prayers were answered. Aunt Mary died peacefully in her sleep. Her end of life was the result of complications brought on by congestive heart failure.

Aunt Mary was born Feb. 2, 1925, to Harold and Clara Utz in Lander, Wyo. In her early Wyoming years, Aunt Mary, along with her older sister and mom, felt the sting of poverty and the wearing effects of the Great Depression. However, even as their struggles mounted, especially after her father abandoned the family, Aunt Mary’s reflections of Wyoming were sprinkled with moments of happiness. At age 7, Aunt Mary and sister, Lois moved with their mother to Southern California. It was in relocating that they found more happiness and stability than thought possible.

The turning point was their mother’s second marriage to Ed Dahlgren. As a result of this union, Aunt Mary and Sis Lois found their teen years to be truly “Happy Days.” The family eventually settled in Bellflower, Calif., where Aunt Mary graduated from high school and nailed down her first job as an usher at a local theater. She eventually went on to work for Western Union and North American Rockwell.

Aunt Mary’s most financially rewarding and personally satisfying work came after her marriage to Walter “Mac” P. McClellan in 1946. She anchored the office of their fledgling heating and cooling business until it became fully established. Her office managing duties were eventually curtailed with the births of her two sons, Rick and then Kim. As it sometimes happen in life, Aunt Mary’s happiness was shattered by tragedy; not once, but twice. Within a span of 13 years she lost both her adult sons to death. Unquestionably, Aunt Mary’s faith sustained her during her time of unimaginable grief. Not only in losing her two sons, but the subsequent loss of her husband, Mac. For countless years Aunt Mary’s daily strength continued to be derived from the Bible ministries of R. B. Thieme, Jr.

In 2005, at the age of 80, our Aunt moved to Coeur d’Alene to be near her niece, Mary Ann Herston; nephew, Ken Beno and their families. It took her little time to become totally infatuated with Idaho. Before her diminished eyesight compelled her to give up driving, the family was convinced she had driven every road between St. Maries and the Canadian border. With the aid of her beloved caregiver, Pat Miller, this legally blind Idahoan kept in touch with the pulse of the community by having the Coeur d’Alene Press read to her daily — that included Mariner news and scores.

Truly this beautiful, statuesque woman with the heart of an angel will be missed. God and family were the key components to all that she was. Mary McClellan was preceded in death by her husband, Walter P. McClellan; her sons, Walter Eric “Rick” McClellan and Kim Howard McClellan and her sister, Lois M. Beno, her only sibling. She is survived by her nephew, Kenneth R. and wife, Sherry Beno; nieces, Mary Ann and husband, David Herston, Carol Lee and husband, Mike Kelly, and Cheryl Jean and husband, Phil Elliott; seven greats, 11 great-great nieces and nephews, and one great-great-great nephew, who all deeply loved her.

The family of Aunt Mary McClellan asks that any memorial contributions be made to Hospice of North Idaho, 2290 W. Prairie Ave., Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815. A private family celebration of life gathering will be held at a time and place yet to be determined.

Yates Funeral Home is entrusted with final arrangements. Please visit Mary’s online memorial and sign her guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.