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Post by flossieskid on Oct 15, 2021 4:57:18 GMT -5
I haven’t been on the Forum site for a while. I flew back to Utah to attend the funeral of Walton writer, story editor and Executive Producer, Claire Whitaker. She was laid to rest in Midway, Utah where her family plot has been for generations. Claire had 5 children, 23 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren!
Claire wrote a beautiful piece concerning the end of life and letting go and I hope to get the family’s approval to post it on the Forum. It made me cry. I guess due to the fact the funeral was in Utah, no members of the Waltons cast or crew were in attendance. But, as seen by a photo placed on the Forum previously, most of cast went to Sante Fe, where Claire lived and surprised her for a visit about 6 years ago. It was very special to Claire and to her family.
Sadly, during my trip, I was confronted with problem after problem: from the rental car rep refusing to accept my driver’s license (all CA licenses were extended a year and mine was valid) AND I had my receipt for my new license; to the torrential downpour all day of the funeral and trying to drive an hour each way to the service (LA girls aren’t used to that much rain!) and finally, having my Southwest Airlines flight canceled 20 minutes before boarding! I slept at the Salt Lake City Airport, where I was the ONLY one who chose to do that! Then, I nearly missed my flight the next morning because they changed the departure gate and I had to run (just like you see in the movies!) hauling my luggage and heavy purse to the departing gate with only minutes to spare.
I fully expected Rod Serling to jump out from behind a pillar at the airport or Ashton Kutcher and crew appearing out of nowhere to tell me I was being punked!! Crazy 3 days but felt so blessed to share in the celebration of Claire’s wonderful life. She was an amazing women who truly blazed a trail for many women becoming successful screenwriters, Story Editors and Executive Producers. The legacy Claire left behind, with her loving family AND her incredible writing career is extremely impressive. It is a shining example to women, everywhere, that dreams can come true if you believe in yourself and work darn hard!
Claire always believed in the talents and abilities of girls and women. She always encouraged and mentored writers of all kinds (included me) and I thought that belief was very apparent when she chose 6 granddaughters to be pall bearers to take her to her final resting place. When we all saw that - it was so typically Claire - there was not a dry eye among all of us in attendance. She was making a statement about the capabilities and strength of all young girls and women. Her ongoing support of female empowerment was in full display, even after her death!
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Post by Easton on Oct 15, 2021 7:39:00 GMT -5
Tracey. Life for you is not an experience. It is an adventure.
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Post by kazk on Oct 15, 2021 17:54:14 GMT -5
Thank you for sharing your time at Claire's funeral. It was lovely that you were able to take the time to go. Wow, so many decendants! What stories they must have to tell.
I hadn't realised she was such a champion of women. I think I'll have to go back to the episodes she wrote for the Waltons, many of which I adore, and look at them from that point of view. She must have been a woman ahead of her time.
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Post by patriciaanne on Oct 17, 2021 0:02:41 GMT -5
Wow, Tracey, what an experience! Or perhaps it's more accurate to say "adventure" as Easton so astutely observed. 😉 I'm sorry it was so difficult getting there and back. But certainly sounds like it was worth it. What a beautiful statement for her 6 granddaughters to be pallbearers. Claire has certainly left a beautiful legacy in so many ways. I will be on the lookout for the episides she was credited with. 💗
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Post by nedandres on Oct 27, 2021 10:49:53 GMT -5
So happy that you were able to be with Claire's family and friends. I miss Claire already. Such a delightful person! I will cherish forever our chats on Messenger.
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Post by Easton on Nov 28, 2021 9:32:01 GMT -5
Hi, all.
Tracey was able to track down digital copies of Claire's funeral program from Claire's son, Mark, but didn't know how to post them. I've been helping her and and she forwarded them to me. I resized them to a more presentable viewing size and set them up for posting. We are not ready to share them with you.
The images will be in small 'thumbnail' form. To see the full-sized image, simply click on each thumbnail image. NOTE: Each thumbnail will open in a new tab. Clicking on the new image will expand it to full size.
Neil and Tracey
Claire Whitaker Peterson
Funeral Service
Claire's Poem
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Post by Brenda on Nov 28, 2021 10:17:54 GMT -5
Thank you for sharing.
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Post by Easton on Nov 28, 2021 10:28:54 GMT -5
^ I tested it to make sure everything worked properly. I've never done thumbnails before in this forum. Did it work correctly through to the full-sized images for you? |
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Post by Brenda on Nov 28, 2021 11:08:01 GMT -5
^ I tested it to make sure everything worked properly. I've never done thumbnails before in this forum. Did it work correctly through to the full-sized images for you? Yes, it worked. 👍 |
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Post by Easton on Nov 28, 2021 11:35:49 GMT -5
Thanks. I had my concerns that it wouldn't go to full size, and that's the only way the photos can be truly appreciated.
I haz a happee.
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Post by flossieskid on Dec 1, 2021 15:49:22 GMT -5
A VERY special thank you and shout out to Neil/Easton for his kindness and amazing skill in helping me post the program for Claire’s funeral. I do hope everyone will read and pay close attention to the words in her beautiful poem, “It Was Time.”
While Claire did not suffer from dementia or Alzheimer’s, she realized that her advancing age, being 92, came with its own set of challenges and her poem says it all about how she would like to be remembered. - when “It Was Time”.
Those of you whose elderly relatives are experiencing the same type of problems, it is truly wonderful to know that most of those relatives knew when “It Was Time.”
Thank you to Claire’s children: Mark, Kristen, Eric and Rolf for allowing us to post the funeral program. Her eldest son, Ernie, also a screenwriter, preceded her in death from ALS when he was only 50.
I know they will be enjoying their own “Homecoming” along with Earl and all those she and Earl loved.
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Post by Easton on Dec 1, 2021 16:26:52 GMT -5
Any time, Tracey. It was my pleasure.
You spoke of ALS and dementia. My older cousin had ALS. She moved in with her parents so they could care for her. My aunt and uncle watched their daughter die. It must have been so difficult for Claire to do the same with her son.
One steals the body. One steals the mind. I don't know which would be worse.
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