Clara Eames

Clara Fanning Eames - 04/05/2003 Clara Fanning Eames - 04/05/2003 CLARA F. EAMES IDAHO FALLS, ID -- Her beloved angels greeted our mom, grandma, grandma great, and great grandma great on April 3, 2003. Clara Catherine Fanning Eames was born March 2, 1919, in Idaho Falls, the second daughter born to the late mayor Edward W. Fanning and Ethel Robinson Fanning. Being the fifth of eight children, she learned the arts of mediation and compromise early in life. She became a caring, concerned, accepting person in the many lives she touched. Her older and younger siblings often turned to her for advice and depended on her to keep the peace in the family. She was one who remembered and celebrated all family members' birthdays. Her life was filled with fun stories about Indians camped at what is now the Hawthorne School area, and the antics of her and her siblings who were strong and intimidating in number. Clara started first grade at Holy Rosary School at the young age of 5. She attended Holy Rosary School for six years. She graduated from Idaho Falls High School in 1936. One of her first jobs after graduation was at Montgomery Ward, earning $25.00 a week. When they wouldn't give her a deserved raise, she moved on to Consolidated Freightways and then to Vermont Loan. In 1955 she started working at Old Faithful Beverage Company and spent many happy years there. In 1961 she started at Sears in the audit office. She soon became the Audit Supervisor. In 1969 she transferred to the El Cajon, California Sears store as Audit Supervisor and to be closer to her oldest daughter, Jo, and her growing family. In 1975 she returned home and to her former job at Sears, from which she retired in 1984. On October 13, 1938, she married Harold W. Eames at Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church. This union taught her to pack up and be ready at a moment's notice to go fishing, hunting or camping. Her husband died in 1958. She was an active and faithful Catholic all of her life. Retirement gave her the opportunity to attend daily Mass, volunteer at the soup kitchen, and offer her services at St. Vincent de Paul. In California she ministered at the local nursing home. One of her most beloved trips to the Holy Land and Rome. Her Rosary and prayer book were never far from her side. Always being part of her childrens' lives, she chaired the Boys and Girls Committee through Holy Rosary School, planning the social events for the students. She seldom missed an athletic event in which her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren participated. She was an active member of the Catholic Women of the Altar, preparing and serving many meals and assisting in any way she could. She was a member of Beta Sigma Phi. Her monthly lunches with what became known as the "Spa Group" gave her great pleasure as did her involvement with the Catholic Singles Group and the Catholic Seniors. In her day, she was active in the Democratic Party and enjoyed spirited discussions about the happenings in Congress. She was an avid Padres fan and delighted in attending their spring training camp in Arizona. She was Irish through and through. Never wanting to be center stage, she went about planning, helping, and advising very quietly. She supported her children’s decisions even when she wasn't sure they were the right ones. She was a noble and gracious woman, always accepting people as who they were, where they were. First and foremost, she was a Mother. Her motto was: “If God takes you to it, He will bring you through it.” She is survived by her daughters: Jo (Rufus) Reaves of San Diego, Marily (Jim) Strom and Susan (Ron) Holt of Idaho Falls, and a son, Steve (Vickie) Eames of San Diego; 14 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, 1 great, great granddaughter and many loving nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, four brothers and three sisters. Special thanks for the loving, compassionate care given to our Mother by Dr. Chip Krantz, Rita Perez and the staff at Idaho Falls Care Center. At Mom's request, in lieu of flowers, please send donations to St. Vincente de Paul, 433 May Street, Idaho Falls, ID, 83401. The Mass of the Resurrection will be at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, April 9, 2003, at Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church, 9th and Lee, with Father Arnold Miller as Celebrant. A Vigil Service will be at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 8, at Wood East Side Chapel, 963 South Ammon Road. Family visitation will follow until 9:00 p.m. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery under the direction of Wood Funeral Home. If you would like to offer your condolences fill in the form below. Name E-Mail Message [ Previous Obituary - Rex Murdock | Current Obituary | Next Obituary - Vern Bendixsen ]