Claire Anchick loved the river.
As the mighty Rogue runs through the heart of the Rogue Valley, so too
has the life of Claire Anchick swept softly through the hearts of all
who knew her.
The tributary of her life began in Denver, Colo.,
66 years ago. She grew up in a melded family surrounded by loving
parents as they lived in places like Kingsville, Texas, Winsfield,
Kans., and Albany, Calif., where they were living when she graduated
from high school. Growing up, Claire attended 13 different schools.
At age 19, she spent a year traveling the world before she met and
married Jack and started a family. Their 46 years together we
exemplified in the word, together. A union such as theirs is an
inspiration and great example of what love truly is. Claire was so proud
of her sons, John and Troy and for their service to this country in the
Navy. Her daughter-in-law, Tami Rupp-Anchick, filled her heart with
joy. Her eyes lit up when she talked of her two grandchildren, Connor
and Logan. They were the delight of her life.
While living in
Ashland she opened up a storefront, Hot Dog Restaurant, that also served
sushi and a variety of sandwiches. The entire family worked at the
business. She loved Ashland, but the call of the river was too great and
they moved to their home on the banks of the Rogue River, near Gold
Hill. She needed to be near the water.
Claire and Jack owned
and operated Town and Country Cleaners, which is known for excellent
customer service and the catchy tagline, Got Your Purple Bag? She was an
active member in the Ashland, Talent, Phoenix, Medford and Upper Rogue
Chambers of Commerce. She was also tirelessly involved in the local
Soroptimist International of Medford, using her special expertise and
management skills to advance the status of women and make the world a
better place.
Claire had a heart for the business community and
believed that everybody in one way or another needed to give back to
their community. It is that legacy of service and community involvement
that will live on in the lives of all she influenced.
A
celebration of Claire's life will be at the First United Methodist
Church, 175 N. Main St., Ashland, at 2:00 p.m., on June 26, 2010.
It is Claire's wish that any memorial gifts be made to The Camelot
Theater Company, P.O. Box 780, Talent, OR.
Yes, Claire Anchick
loved the river. Let us cross the river and rest under the shade of
the trees. General Stonewall Jackson's last words, May 10, 1863
Published in the Mail Tribune on 6/19/2010
Claire Anchick - SI Medford
VICKI SMITH
8-23-44 to 3-16-10
Vicki Smith, beloved wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, and
community member, passed into God's loving arms on March 16, 2010.
Vicki was born one of seven children to Juanita and Gerald Shults in
1944. She graduated from Klamath Union High School in 1962 and married
Dan Smith of Keno, Ore., in 1965. The couple moved to Ashland in 1966.
Vicki worked at Southern Oregon College forensic lab and then at the
Ashland School District before starting a 30 year career at Rogue
Federal Credit Union. She worked as the Rogue Federal Credit Union
Ashland branch manager for many years and as the credit union grew, she
was continually promoted to take on greater responsibilities including
serving on the senior management team. Vicki served many years as the
chief operations officer and finished her career as the chief member
relations officer, where she was responsible for operations, supervising
branch and department managers, and service delivery. One of Vicki's
biggest accomplishments and greatest honors was serving as the chair of
the operations sales and services executive committee for the Credit
Union National Association. This allowed Vicki to travel all over the
United States sharing her operational expertise with other credit union
professionals. She also enjoyed serving on the Credit Union Association
of Oregon Foundation Scholarship committee for many years.
After retiring in 2007, Vicki pursued travel, learned to knit, learned
to play the piano, golfed, enjoyed a hiking class and time with her
family. She was also a dedicated Soroptomist member for nearly 30 years.
For much of her working career and in retirement, she volunteered
countless hours to Soroptomist International of Ashland, serving as club
president twice, regional committee chair for the finance committee and
district two representative for the finance committee.
Vicki
had two daughters, Jennifer and Emilie, whom she adored. Vicki raised
her daughters with love and strength until the very end. To her
daughters, Vicki will always be known as the rock.
Vicki
passed away Tuesday morning, after a very brief battle with cancer. She
is survived by her husband, Dan Smith; daughters, Jennifer and Emilie;
father, Gerald Shults; brothers, Jim and Jeanne Shults, of Fairfield,
Calif. and Mike and Teresa Shults, of Klamath Falls, Ore.; sisters,
Sandy and Bill Dixon, of Klamath Falls, Debi and Bob Luther, of Rocky
Point, Ore., and Geri Lynn Shults, of Klamath Falls, Ore. Vicki was
preceded in death by her mother, Juanita; brother, Donald; and niece,
Chris Wright.
Vicki will be remembered on Saturday, March 20,
at 1:00 p.m. The memorial service will be held at the First Baptist
Church in Ashland and will be immediately followed by a reception at the
church.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Vicki's
name to: Soroptimist International of Ashland, P. O. Box 544, Ashland
97520.
Vicki Smith - SI Ashland
Improving the lives of women and girls, in local communities and throughout the world.
