HELEN IRENE CLAFFEY

1920-2018

Helen Irene (Jones) Claffey, 97, matriarch of 5 living generations, passed away at home Jan. 6, 2018 due to dementia and old age. Born April 29, 1920 in Marion, Ohio to Harley E. Jones and Carol Bertha (Hecox) Jones. She grew up on the farm, schooled in a one room school house and graduated from Harding High School in 1938, married for 66 years to the late Harry James Claffey, Jr.

She is survived by her sister, Augusta Marie (Jones) Keith, two daughters, Patricia Lee (Claffey) Pillow, Janet Susan Claffey (Wright), son-in-law, Albert Rodman Searcy; grandchildren, Patrick Thomas Pillow, wife Pamula (Adams) Pillow, Deborah Kay Pillow, Jennifer Emily Wright-Canausa, husband Michael Canausa, Lance Christian Searcy, wife Eliabeth (Luong), Kristen Michelle Searcy, husband Barry Skipp, Molly Glyncora Searcy; great grandchildren, Joshua Thomas Pillow, wife Yuko (Torimi), Jordan Kyle Pillow, Ryan Jeffrey Pillow, Avery Searcy, Charlotte Searcy; great-great-grandchildren, Summer Pillow, Nickolas Pillow, and Tyler Pillow; nieces and nephews.

Helen was preceded in death by her daughter, Carolyn Ann (Claffey) Searcy; son-in-law Dan Thomas Pillow, sister, Marguerite Rhua (Jones) King; brothers, Howard Franklin Jones, Clifford Emmett Jones. Helen loved gardening, puzzles, Rummikub games, non-fiction books, coin collecting, antiquing, genealogy and baking cookies for grandchildren.

A visitation will be held from 1-2 pm with the funeral service to begin at 2 pm on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018 at the Klein Funeral Home in Magnolia. Burial will follow at Klein Memorial Park, Magnolia.