Claudia Gay Stevens

She spent most of her early years in Flint, graduating in the first graduating class in 1955 from St. John Vianney Catholic School. She attended Ferris State University earning a BS in pharmacy in 1959.

She went to work as a pharmacist while living with girl friends on Lake Fenton where she met her husband Jack Lee Stevens. They were married on July 8th, 1961.

Gay worked as a pharmacist for 57 years, first for Cook Drugs, then Perry Drugs, completing her career at Rite Aid Pharmacy.

Gay’s talent for organization, stellar intellect and caring nature led her to volunteer with many organizations. These included The Junior League of Flint, Administrative VP and Ticketmaster of Town Hall; Women’s Center Task Force, worked in conjunction with the YWCA of Flint; YWCA, Board Member; Habitat for Humanity, board president and fundraising chair; Grand Blanc High School, Chair of Parent 50/50 club; Ascension Genesys Hospital, Spiritual Care volunteer; and the American Cancer Society, fundraising volunteer.

Gay loved literature, especially histories, biographies and the classics. As a life-long learner, she instilled a love of reading in her children and grandchildren. She had a passion for the arts, ideas and information. She loved to garden and loved to walk, especially on the beach at Casey Key, Florida.

Gay is preceded in death by her parents and brother, Richard Brian Waddell.

She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Jack Stevens; her brother Anthony Kent (Judy) Waddell of Northport, Florida; her children, Bethany Stevens (Denis) Hall of Brighton, Michigan, David (Katie) Stevens of Winnetka, Illinois, and Katy (Eric) Alstrom of Okemos, Michigan; and her grandchildren, Marybeth, Andrew, Steven and Lindsay Hall; Christopher and Caroline Stevens; Katharine, Hannah and Lillian Alstrom.

A funeral service will be held on Sunday, July 17th at 2 pm at Hill Funeral Home, 11723 South Saginaw Street, Grand Blanc, Michigan; Visitation 12 noon to 2 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to Genesee County Habitat for Humanity, Geneseehabitat.org/donate.