Obituary of Virginia M Claxton

On Tuesday, February 23, 2021 Virginia M. Claxton, loving mother and grandmother, passed away at the age of 80 in Tucson, Arizona.

Virginia was born on May 22, 1940 in Sandpoint, Idaho to Harry and Grace Durand. She was a proud graduate of Clarkston High School, class of 1958, in Clarkston, Washington. She went on to study at the Kinman Business University, a private vocational school in Spokane, Washington, studying accounting. She spent several years working in the Seattle, Washington area, before spending two years in Taipei, Taiwan (where her two daughters were born). Virginia arrived in Tucson, Arizona in 1969. She worked for several years in the Savings and Loan industry. In January 1979 she began working at Arizona Lithographers, a commercial printing company, as the controller, until her retirement in 2006.

Virginia loved doting on her only granddaughter, Kristin, until Alzheimer’s disease took that from her. She was very proud of her two daughters and son-in-law. She was known for her love of the casinos, especially playing Keno. She loved watching University of Arizona football and basketball games. She was a diehard Randy Travis fan and once even attended a Bon Jovi concert with her youngest daughter. She loved spending time with family and friends and always enjoyed hosting summer pool parties in her backyard. She became famous for her clam dip at these parties. Even as Alzheimer’s disease took her memory, she was very happy to sit amongst her family and friends and partake of the party as best she could.

Virginia spent the last two years of her life at All Comforts of Home, a memory care home in Tucson, Arizona, run by the wonderful Diaz family. The Diaz family and the staff at All Comforts of Home treated Virginia as a member of their family and Virginia’s family thanks them for their loving care of her.

Virginia is survived by her two daughters, Kathy (Micah) Sturtevant of Tucson, Arizona, and Pam Peterson of Tucson, Arizona. She has one grandchild, Kristin Sturtevant of Tucson, Arizona. She is also survived by her sister Renee (Tim) Nearing of Kennewick, Washington, brother Orland (Norma) Favaro Jr of Othello, Washington, sister Debbie (Buz) McCanse of Pasco, Washington, niece Lannette (Greg) Steindorf of Kennewick, Washington, niece Jennifer (Bob) Krebs of Kennewick, Washington, niece Mollie (Mark) Elfring of Washougal, Washington and several more nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her mother Grace Favaro, father Harry Durand, stepfather Orland Favaro and sister Harriet Michael.

A memorial service will not be held at this time. Once it is safe to travel, the family will visit Washington State to celebrate Virginia’s life with her extended family.

Donations in her name may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association

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