Claire Blackaller Fortune Obituary (1917

Claire Blackaller Fortune July 31, 1917-January 23, 2007 Claire was born on July 31, 1917 on the Blackaller Ranch in Frio Town, Texas. She passed peacefully into Eternity, surrounded by her family, on January 23, 2007. Claire was the 4th child of James Edgar and Margaret Blackaller. The family moved to Pearsall, Texas when she was a child and there she was active in the Methodist Church choir and played the piano and violin. She graduated from Pearsall High School in 1935, and then went on to San Antonio Junior College, Incarnate Word and San Marcos Teacher's College where she received her BA degree in 1939 with a major in English and a split minor in Spanish and German. She taught in Pearsall for 5 years. During World War II she moved to San Antonio where she worked for the Federal Reserve as a Bank Examiner. It was in San Antonio that she met 1st Lt. John L. Fortune. They were married in 1945, one month after meeting, and almost immediately John was sent to Guam for one year and one day. After the War, John and Claire moved to Seattle where John worked for Boeing and Claire for the Corps of Engineers. She then went on to teach in the Seattle School District for 15 years. Claire sang in the choir and taught Sunday School at Fauntleroy Congregational Church for 45 years and continued as an active member of the church (now Fauntleroy UCC) for 56 years. She leaves behind her beloved and devoted husband, John. They had been married for nearly 62 years, and were known by many at The Kenney, their Assisted Living Home, as the "cute couple". You rarely saw one without the other. Her daughter Julie Wiebusch, her grandchildren Ryan John Wiebusch and Abigail Kathleen Wiebusch, her sister Margaret (Moppy) Brady, and numerous nieces and nephews also survive her. Claire loved her family above all else. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. While she loved her home in Seattle, with all the mountains, trees and water, she was a Southern Belle and a Texan to the end. She loved parties and entertaining, a "social butterfly" with an engaging personality. She was a compassionate friend. She committed some of her time each week to writing at least one letter or card and calling a friend in need of a listening ear. Her family has found many little notes in her belongings, left to encourage them after her passing. Claire was a genuinely sweet lady. She will be missed by all of those who knew her. In honor of her wishes, there will be no services. In remembrance of Claire, write a letter or call a friend who needs to hear from you.