Claudia Dean Clough

After a seven month encounter with cancer, Claudia Dean Clough, 45 of DeWitt, MI passed away at home surrounded by her family on March 3, 2015. Claudia was born in Wayne, MI on September 29, 1969 to Dean and Floyd Collins.

Claudia married Lex Bryan Clough, and together they had three children, Zachary, Nicholas, and Mackenzie. Claudia is survived by her husband and children, as well as her mother Dean; sisters Charity, Faith, and Amanda; her brother Stephen; and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her father, Floyd; and her sister, Amy.

Claudia had a life-long dream of becoming a Nurse and using her life to serve in the medical field. She attended Lansing Community College and worked diligently for two years on a Nursing prerequisite program achieving high academic marks and earning a General Associate's degree in 2014. Claudia had been accepted into the LCC Nursing program at the time of her diagnosis of cancer, but due to the Chemotherapy treatment she unfortunately was unable to participate.

Claudia was a driven, hardworking visionary that made an impact on the lives around her. She was very active in her Church and pioneered a class for exceptional children. This ministry touched the lives of both the children and their parents and helped the Church meet a need within the community.

Claudia enjoyed the outdoors and was always eager to jump at the chance to go fishing, mushroom hunting or general foraging in the woods. She was an exceptional gardener and utilize the skills she learned from her grandfather, David Blanks, to provide healthy and natural food for her family.

Claudia epitomized the virtuous woman listed in Proverbs 31:10-31. She made preparations for her children before her passing by hand sewing baby clothes that her children could use for their children when they were born. She handmade receiving blankets, onesies, booties, and button hats that her future grandbabies will be able to wear. She also wrote letters and handmade other memorable items that she left for her children to bless them and minister to them after she was gone.

Claudia's passion for medicine and science prompted her to make an impact on others even after she would depart this life. Before her passing, she made arrangement to have her body donated to the medical community to be used for medical research and education. It was her desire to help others even after she was gone.

Claudia's desire was to be "fully alive" until the Lord was ready for her to go home. She died as she lived.

John 11:25-26 King James Version (KJV)

25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.

There will be a memorial service at 1:00 P.M. on Saturday, March 14, 2015 at Greater Lansing First Assembly of God 2717 West Road, East Lansing, MI 48823.