Claudia Jean Delaney

The world lost a wonderful person on February 11, 2022, when Claudia Delaney of Phoenix died at 75.

She delighted in having fun with her many friends, engaging in conversation, and always surprising them with her funny quips, quick wit, and clever notions. She loved to travel near and far and always made every occasion unforgettable.

In the '80s, Claudia was one of the originators of the BCNYA's – a rag-tag club of friends & family that would take annual adult road trips all over AZ (The Natural Bridge, Jerome, Mormon Lake, Bisbee, Douglas, Greer, Yuma Prison) and summer family camping trips (Dead Horse Lake, Woods Canyon Lake, Horseback riding in Canyon de Chelly) just to name a few. Claudia canoed the Colorado River 15 times, always stopping at the “Delaney-Barber Champagne Cave.” However, her favorite place was the family cabin in Christopher Creek.

Claudia retired from the AZ State Hospital, where she made friends with co-workers and patients alike. She was presented with the Distinguished Employee of the Year in 1980.

Born in Cedar Falls, IA, in 1946 to Harvey and Beverly (Beecher) Sutton, Claudia, her parents, sisters and brother, moved to Tucson, AZ in 1957. Claudia graduated from Sunnyside High School in Tucson, AZ, in 1964.

Claudia knew she had met her match in the fall of 1964 while walking from South to North Campus at Eastern Arizona College when Mike Delaney and his buddy drove by and offered her a ride. They celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary in December.

Claudia is survived by her husband, Michael, her children Lisa (Mike Libudziewski) Delaney of Newport Beach and Ryan Delaney of Bothell, WA, her mother, Beverly Sutton of Phoenix, and her siblings: Marilyn (Brad) Wright of Williamsburg, VA, Janice (Dave) Peterson of Phoenix, Scott (Becky) Sutton of Mesa, many nieces and nephews and their children, the joy of her life Granddaughter Maddi, and dog Merci. She was predeceased by her father, Harvey Allen Sutton, and brother Steven Allen Sutton.

A small service will be held for immediate family, followed by a celebration of Claudia's life to be held near the family cabin at a later date.