Clela Allphin Hoggatt

1932 - 2017

Clela Allphin Hoggatt, 85, passed away Wednesday, December 27, 2017, in Northridge, CA. Clela was born September 9, 1932 in Des Moines, Iowa, to Frances (Buckalew) Philleo and Addison Edgar Philleo. She was raised an only child in Des Moines where she graduated from the local high school. She attended the University of Northern Iowa (formerly Iowa State Teachers College), where she graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in 1954 and began her lifelong career in education. She obtained her Master’s degree from Sam Houston State University (formerly Sam Houston State Teachers College) in 1961. She made her way to Los Angeles in 1964, where she raised her five children. She became a Professor of English at L.A. Trade Technical College. In 1972, she accepted a position as a member of the inaugural teaching staff of L.A. Mission College in Sylmar, CA. She taught there for the majority of her career until she retired in 1995. In 1996, she packed up her beloved collie, Lucy, and moved to Louisville, KY. She returned to CA in 2012, following a critical illness.

Clela was an accomplished woman as an educator, a published author, a poet, and an avid world traveler. She loved teaching and often said it was her life’s work. She was a passionate advocate for social justice and the underprivileged. She was proud member of MENSA and the Daughters of the American Revolution. She was also proud to be named in “Who’s Who in America”. In KY, she immersed herself in local history and horse racing as a new member of the community surrounding Churchill Downs, home to the Kentucky Derby. She enjoyed reading and collecting books, as well as playing the piano. She loved her family, her dear friends, her church community, and her loyal collies.

Clela was preceded in death by her parents, Frances and Addison Philleo; her former husband, Charles P. Allphin; and her late husband, John Hoggatt. She is survived by her children, Beverly Allphin, Valerie Jariabek and husband Roman, Arthur Allphin, Clark Allphin and wife Paddy, Frances Mack and husband Ben; her grandchildren, Brett and Jenna Jariabek; and special lifelong family friends, Linda Oliver and Jeff Penrose.

Services will be held on January 26, 2018, at 1:00 p.m. at Pierce Brothers Valhalla Mortuary, 10621 Victory Blvd., North Hollywood, CA 91606. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the ACLU or the ASPCA.