Jacqueline McClure Obituary

Former Durango resident Jacqueline Ann Thwaits McClure died after a brief battle with cancer Monday, Jan. 31, 2011, at her home in Cement, Okla. She was 61.

Known as "Jackie," she was born to Byron and Wilma Thwaits on Jan. 8, 1950, in Stockton, Kan. She spent her early childhood in various locations in the Four Corners, and most of her school years were spent in Eagle Mountain, Calif.

In September 1971, she married Michael McClure in Reno, Nev., while he was in the U.S. Navy and she was finishing her final year at the Kaiser School of Nursing in Oakland, Calif.

After working for several years as a nursing supervisor, she decided to return to school. She worked full time and attended school full time and earned master's degrees in business administration and nursing administration. These opened the door to a much higher level of involvement in management. She was a professor at Ashford and DeVry universities, and she wrote technical papers for several companies.

"She discovered that this was her true calling, and she enjoyed it enormously," her family wrote. "She eased her students' learning experience because of her vast knowledge and compassion and made many successful where otherwise they may not have done as well. She earned many awards professionally and acclaim from her peers."

Mrs. McClure was an author of Web articles, published magazine articles, was a ghost writer for numerous others and was a co-author of papers, articles and theses on a diverse range of subjects.

The McClures lived in Durango from 1988 to 2000. While here, Mrs. McClure was a nursing supervisor and case manager at Mercy Regional Medical Center.

She had a love for crafts, especially quilting and crocheting. Mrs. McClure loved her "critters," chickens, pigs and goats, and especially her yearly vegetable garden.

"She gave tirelessly to all who surrounded her and frequently even to those in need," her family said. "This giving included all her talents and knowledge, as well as her enormous heart. Her family was always her main concern, and she was always there for support."

Mrs. McClure is survived by her husband of 39 years, Michael McClure, of Cement; sons, Ken McClure of Florida, Jeffrey McClure of Colorado and Jesse McClure of Texas; daughter, Jennifer McClure, of California; sisters, Byrine Walcutt of West Virginia, Donna and Barbara; and seven grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, April 15, 2011, in Comanche County Memorial Hospital Chapel in Lawton, Okla.