Claire Leigh Crenshaw Anderton

CLAIRE LEIGH CRENSHAW ANDERTON

Claire Leigh Crenshaw Anderton, 51, passed away December 31, 2010, in Salt Lake City.

She was born on January 20, 1959 in Jacksonville, Florida, to Billy Crenshaw and Janice Padgett Crenshaw. She married Nord Curtis Anderton on August 28, 1984, in the Salt Lake Temple. She was a member of the sixth generation of Florida and Georgia Latter-day Saints.

She is survived by her husband, Nord, her parents Billy and Janice Crenshaw, of Palatka, Florida; mother-in-law Joy Nichol, father-in-law Evan Anderton, step-in-laws Jack and JoAnn Nichol of Murray; sisters: Gigi (Harry) Griffis, Carla (Anthony) Adams, Lola Jill Crenshaw; brother B Sanford (Sheri Lyn) Crenshaw, Jr.

While living in Florida, Claire spent her childhood living in and attending the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind in St. Augustine, Florida. She began in kindergarten and graduated with the class of 1978. She recently attended the school’s 125th year anniversary events, and had the opportunity to renew many childhood friendships.

As a member of the Young Women’s Auxiliary in her youth, she finished four years of LDS girls’ camp, returning home as a leader. A few years later, she and her sister, Carla, decided to move to Utah for a new adventure.

It was in Provo at a special social for the deaf that they happened to meet. Nord’s version of the story was that “this girl began flirting with me with her eyes,” and he couldn’t believe she was interested in him. However, not to pass up an opportunity, he went over to her and became acquainted….and asked her if she would like him to pick her up for church. After several church meetings, they began to date. This led to Nord’s proposal of marriage. They were sealed in the Salt Lake temple by her grand-uncle, William H. Bennett, a member of the temple presidency at that time.

They made their home in Holladay, and Claire added to her list of numerous cousins, aunts, and uncles, a whole passel of new ones. This, because Nord’s parents divorced and remarried, creating new families of siblings, aunts, uncles, and more cousins, who became part of Claire’s life.

While others had a hard time remembering everyone, Claire kept better track of names and ages than anyone else in the family! She was especially appreciative of those who made the effort to sign with her a lot ~ Ashlea, Vivian, Noelle, Joy, Barbara…..although everyone made the effort to do so. One of our fondest memories…is of her laughing on Christmas Eve, playing Hangman with her nieces, Noelle and Erin. The picture on the front of the program was taken that night.

Some find confusing the involvement of Jack Nichol in Nord’s and Claire’s life. It must be acknowledged that Jack’s role as father to Nord, begun when Nord was about 2-1/2 years old, has never ended. Although he taught Claire’s husband to be as independent as possible, Jack, and his wife, JoAnn, have continued to be a safety net for them, whenever the need arose.

Although she had numerous health challenges, Claire wasn’t one to sit around, doing nothing! She took many craft classes. She always had more than one project in progress, and she brightened the homes of family and friends with her creations. She attended the Salt Lake Valley Deaf Ward, attended Relief Society, and dearly loved her many friends in that ward. Her most recent calling was that of door greeter, which she shared with Nord.

Both of them were very active in the Sanderson Center for the Deaf and attended fun social events there, including summer camps. Since Nord’s retirement, almost two years ago, they’ve gotten a real kick out of bowling together at the Center!

Claire found the Center to be a source of wonderful counsel and support from the many counselors and mentors there. They helped broaden her interests and understanding of life’s challenges, which was a great help to the family. And for that, the family is very grateful! Thank you, Joene (Jo-nee), Kim, Trenton, and the many unnamed folks who were so dear to her!

They were really looking forward to a cruise next month. Instead, Claire has gone on…to a magnificent adventure. “Bon voyage, Claire, ‘til we meet again!”

Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, January 5, 2011, at the Salt Lake Valley 1st Ward for the Deaf, 760 East 700 South, Salt Lake City, at 12:00 noon. Family and friends may visit one hour prior to the services. Interment will be at Holladay Memorial Cemetery, 4900 South Memorial Lane, Holladay, Utah.

On-line condolences may be expressed at www.memorialutah.com.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a contribution to the Claire Anderton Memorial Fund may do so, in person or by phone, at:
Holladay Bank and Trust.
2020 East 4800 South
Holladay, Utah, 84117
801-272-4275