Caroline Virginia Clough

Cary was born in Minatare, Nebraska on June 13, 1930, to immigrant parents, Alexander and Mollie Eirich. She was one of eleven children, nine of whom survived to adulthood.

Cary was a child of the Great Depression and World War II and was raised on the family farm. She and her siblings had much to do each day to keep the farm going, but they persevered into eventual prosperity. Cary attended rural schools and graduated from Bayard, Nebraska, High School with the class of 1947.

In 1950 Cary moved to Greeley, CO, and worked as a secretary for Dr. William R. Ross, then President of Colorado State College (now the University of Northern Colorado) until 1959. She assisted Dr. Ross with his vision to significantly expand the college by developing what is now the west campus of the university. She also worked closely with Dr. Ross to implement his desire to create the Schools of Nursing and Special Education. Later, Cary worked as a secretary for twenty years at the First Congregational Church in Greeley from 1972 until her retirement in 1992. She was actively involved in managing family real estate investments until the time of her death.

On September 1, 1956, Cary married Gerald R. “Jerry” Clough in Greeley, following his service in the United States Army. They had two sons: Richard (1959), and John (1963). The couple remained in Greeley where Jerry was involved in furniture sales and real estate management. They were avid fans of the Denver Broncos and Colorado Rockies and were season ticket holders for both for many years. They actively supported many local organizations such as the Little Theatre of the Rockies and the Independence Stampede. They enthusiastically attended school and sporting activities of their children and grandchildren. They enjoyed travelling by car and exploring the American west. Cary provided loving home health care for Jerry during a prolonged illness for the last years of his life. Jerry died in 2014.

Cary was a member of the First Congregational Church in Greeley for 67 years. She contributed in many significant ways to the life of the church. Among these, she was one of the co-founders of the church community preschool that remained open for more than 50 years and served countless children in the Greeley area. Cary also served on several committees of the church, spending many years as president of the Board of Christian Education. She was also a loyal member of Women’s Group 1-3 at the church.

Cary and her dear friend and fellow secretary, Ramona Gale, were dubbed by their employers, The Rev. Dr. Al Slighter and The Rev. Donald Laue as “The First Ladies of The Church.” Cary and Ramona were an unstoppable team and could be counted on to know everything about the church from the location of a box of paperclips to the best way for the pastors to best soothe a parishioner’s concerns and maintaining the pastors’ daily schedules. For more than three decades, Cary wrote, edited, and mailed the “Church Bell” newsletter.

Cary contributed in other ways to the Greeley community. She volunteered as a member of the Weld Information and Referral Service (WIRS) – a resource for struggling individuals and families. She was also actively involved in supporting the Boy Scouts, school committees, book clubs, and neighborhood organizations. She was a member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood for many years.

Cary was preceded in death by her husband and parents, her brother Harvey Eirich, and her sisters Eileen Schnee and Norma Flores.

She is survived by her sons; Richard (Susan) Clough of Ft. Morgan, CO; and John Clough of Greeley, CO. Cary had three grandchildren; Caleb Clough of Denver, CO; Noah Clough of Denver, CO; and Jennifer Clough of Vermont. There are four great grandchildren. She is survived by her sisters; Lillian Hull, Alberta Traver, and Betty Eirich; and by brothers Larry Eirich, and Dale (Alice) Eirich.

Cary had numerous nieces and nephews and other extended family members, good friends, close colleagues, and fellow congregants who will also miss and remember her.

A celebration of life service will be held on May 15th, 2025 at 11:00 a.m., at the First Congregational Church in Greeley, CO. Services will conclude at the church. Cary will be inurned at the church columbarium.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Cary’s name to Pathways Hospice, either online at pathways-care.org or by mail: Pathways, 305 Carpenter Road, Fort Collins, CO, 80525.