Arvelle Day McClees

Arvelle Day McClees (1946 – 2010)

Arvelle Mary Day McClees passed away unexpectedly from pneumonia December 17, 2010, falling in her last battle in a larger fight against a rare dementia that took her words and independence; but left her radiant smile and cheerful manner.

Born in Seattle in 1946 to Arville and Delores Day, Arvelle (after her dad) grew up in the country (Cathcart) where her parents instilled in her a love of nature and animals.  They had an acre to raise raspberries, chickens and turkeys.  She and her sister Merrie loved riding a horse boarded on adjacent land and competing in 4-H where both earned blue ribbons.  Arvelle enjoyed tap dancing and attending the local Baptist church.  Her dad, “Happy”, taught her a love of people and her mother taught her faith.  Arvelle was a Snohomish High School graduate.

She began her career at Pacific Northwest Bell in 1966, where her dad then retired, had worked for forty years.  When he died, her mother moved to Los Angeles to be closer to her sisters.  After finishing Everett Community College and selling the house, Arvelle joined her sister and mother in L.A., staying with the phone company.  Soon after, her mother joined her father.

While in Los Angeles, Arvelle she met Alan Freeman, marrying in 1976.  After ten years, their marriage was dissolved, though they remained friends.  She returned to Puget Sound, living in Federal Way, where she joined Christ Lutheran Church.

Outgoing with ready laugh, Arvelle volunteered at Group Health and was drawn to helping the families of young patients.  She saw clowns entertaining the children and inspired, developed a clown persona, choosing “Happy” as her clown name.  What she lacked in juggling ability, she made up for in face-painting and making balloon animals.  She was encouraged by other clowns in the Telephone Pioneers service organization.

With a heart for peace, Arvelle volunteered in 1990 to work as a reception hostess at the 1990 Seattle Goodwill Games.  She greeted athletes from around the world and made them feel at home.

Not having a child, Arvelle prayed that she would meet “an intelligent man with a sense of humor, who enjoyed people, and who had a daughter.”  In 1990, her dear friend (and matchmaker) Harriet introduced Arvelle to Herbert McClees, who was also attending a series of cinema social events.  He was a design engineer at HNTB, with a daughter, Johanna, in primary school.  They went camping together with memories for a lifetime.  Arvelle joined Herb’s church in Kirkland attending bible study, teaching Sunday school, serving as secretary for the Episcopal Church Women, and a caring listener in Stephen Ministry for people in crisis.

Meanwhile, Arvelle continued her education in communications at Seattle Central Community College, learning American Sign Language and being inducted into Phi Theta Kappa an international scholastic order for two-year colleges.

Arvelle and Herb married in 1996 at St. John’s Episcopal in Kirkland, making their home in Juanita.  She loved to garden, laying out a garden scientifically with the Johanna’s help, kept finches and cared for her seventeen year old cat. Herb and Arvelle attended dance performances and took tango and acting improv classes together. Later that year, Arvelle accepted early retirement from the phone company (now US West Communications) after thirty years of service. So in a way, she gained one family and lost another.  After a break, Arvelle resumed working as a temp.  In the community she volunteered at the Multi-Service Center (food bank), Habitat for Humanity, and the library.

About this time an article in the paper showed a boy’s joyful reaction upon receiving a teddy bear from a Minneapolis policeman.   Arvelle contacted the Kirkland police and started collecting and cleaning bears for local children in crisis.  These she photographed, blessed and packaged to be carried in patrol cars and fire trucks.

Around 2002, Arvelle’s difficulties in organizing and communication became apparent to those who knew her well and made temping problematic, forcing her retirement from the business world at 56.

Almost by way of compensation, her creative and craft side blossomed.  Armed with her retirement award camera, Arvelle started taking numerous pictures of the downtown Kirkland area.  Her many pictures were of flowers, children, birds, pets, and sculptures and breathtaking sunsets from their view deck where they now lived. She would cut up the pictures with scalloped scissors, add pieces recycled from other cards and create unique greeting cards, “Crafted by Arvelle Created by God.”   Carrying a bright golfing umbrella, she became a familiar figure in her daily exercise and photo expeditions.

This way of life continued into late 2008 when she could no longer move freely in safety.  In 2009 Arvelle was placed in the loving care of the staff at The Cottages at Mill Creek, Assisted Living for Dementia where her youth and ready smile brightened the place.

She is survived by her sister, Dr. Merrie Day, and adopted in love daughter, Johanna Phillips, of Mill Creek and her husband, Herbert McClees and preceded in death by her parents and her half-brother, George Atland.

A memorial service in celebration of Arvelle’s life will be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 105 State St., Kirkland on Saturday, March 26, 2011 at 10:00 am with reception to follow.