Obituary of Helen McClure
Helen Fischer McClure of Redding passed away peacefully September 1. She was
preceded in death by her beloved husband of 65 years, Grover Benjamin McClure,
Jr. Helen and Ben enjoyed a lifetime of world travel, both for pleasure and
through Ben’s work as an executive for Richardson Vicks. In retirement, they
enjoyed spending time with friends and family at their home in Meadow Ridge.
Helen was born in St. Paul, Minn. on Aug. 2, 1923 to Danish immigrants. After
her first husband, John Carroll, was killed while serving in the U.S. Navy
during World War II, Helen moved to Seattle with daughter Carroll to work for
the Navy. It was there that she met Ben, who served as commander of an
amphibious landing ship. After the war, Helen and Ben had a daughter, Susan.
Ben’s work for Richardson Vicks took them all over the world, including 22 years
in Paris. Helen had a voracious interest in other cultures, and their impeccably
kept homes exhibited the artwork and artifacts she collected throughout their
travels. Helen loved opera and Scrabble, and her constant companion to the end
was her beloved dog Chica.
Helen is survived by her two daughters, Carroll Lewin (Shallom) and Susan
Marchand (Henri); her five grandchildren, Anneliese Marchand Rhodes (Justin),
Deborah Pastner (Ingrid Young), Celine Marchand Beaugnon (Patrick), Eric
Marchand and Rebecca Pastner (Steven Smith); her five great-grandchildren,
Louise, Madison, Elsie, Jasper and Sarah; and many beloved nieces and nephews.