Bertha May Barclay

Bertha Mae (Corak) Barclay was born on the 4th of July in Seattle, Washington and did not let anyone forget that. She was our personal 'firecracker! She was a beloved daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Mom attended Beacon Hill Elementary School and graduated from Franklin High School in 1944. She was employed by Williams Potato Chips during the summer and eventually became secretary to Labor and Industries in the Smith Tower.

She met the love of her life, Gordon Barclay while he was riding his Harley visiting his grandparents in Tenino. They had a Polish-Croatian wedding in Seattle in 1945 and all that attended donated their food stamps. Being short one usher due to illness, they took to the streets and pulled the first sailor in uniform to complete the wedding party. They spent their honeymoon on board a troop train headed for Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Dad spent 30 years in Submarine service and she traveled wherever the Navy allowed, pulling their trailer home behind them.

She has one daughter Sherry born in 1948 in Key West, Florida and a son Wayne born in 1952 in New London Connecticut. In 1973 she and dad bought a travel trailer and became Arizona “snowbirds” to watch their grand kids grow up. They were one of the first to move into Rio Verde in 1977. For over 25 years and she enjoyed entertaining the residents in both Arizona and Washington with her many plays and readings.

Dad passed in 2004 and Mom lived another 13 years. She was able to remain in her home and so enjoyed her weekly visits from Gus (Sherry's yellow lab) almost as much as she loved chocolate. She was always in good spirits, swore like a sailor and touched everyone she came in contact with. She will be missed by all and never forgotten.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, please make a donation to the Disabled American Veterans or the Auburn Humane Society.