Mary Ellen Claggett

Mary Ellen ClaggettMary Ellen Claggett, age 74, passed away on April 18, 2015, with her family by her side.  She was born in Lansing on January 6, 1941, the daughter of Hoyt and Irma (Shoup) Penabaker.

Mary Ellen was an active member of the Mt. Hope Presbyterian Church and retired from the Lansing School District Personnel Dept.  She was a tap dancer with Social Security Scandals for many years and dearly loved it.  She also enjoyed shopping, knitting, reading and going to the Wharton Center.  Her grandchildren along with her husband, Harlow, were the light of her life.

She is survived by her loving husband of 26 years, Harlow Claggett; her children, Jack (Sharon) Terrill of St. Johns, Julie (Jeff) Lendzion of Naperville, IL; four step-children, Russ (Jane) Claggett, Connie (Steve) Stutts, Carol (Dale) Linton and Janet (Bob) Wielenga; five grandchildren, Emily, Jordan, Grace, Seth and Sam; eleven step-grandchildren, Amy, Brad, Stephanie, Jessica, Kara, Matthew, Jennifer, Rebecca, Jonathon, Sara and Taylor; five step-great grandchildren, sister, Shirley (Gordon) Thomas and many special nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death are her parents, Hoyt and Irma; brother, Hoyt Donald Penabaker; sister, Barbara McCullough and nephews, David Thomas and Alan Penabaker.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 25, 2015, at the Mt. Hope Presbyterian Church, 301 W. Jolly Rd, Lansing.  Her family will receive friends at the Estes-Leadley Holt/Delhi Chapel from 6-8 p.m. Friday.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Mt. Hope Presbyterian Church or Hospice of Lansing Stoneleigh Residence in memory of Mary Ellen Claggett.  The family wishes to thank everyone at Stoneleigh Residence for their wonderful care of Mary Ellen.

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5 Messages to “Mary Ellen Claggett

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Connie Willis Swix
April 19, 2015 at 10:16 am

Through grade school, brownies, Girl Scouts, Walter French Junior High and Sexton High School….Mary Ellen Pennabaker was a delightful friend. Since we lived both lived in Lansing, (less than a mile apart),we would see each other often at social events. She and Harlow always had something up their sleeve, and were so involved in theatre. Mary Ellen always had a smile and a hug off stage, and when she was on stage dancing away, her smile was ear to ear, and her slender long legs could kick the highest….she was one of the best!! She was still smiling, laughing and reminiscing last month when I visited her at Stoneleigh Hospice. Cancer is so cruel. I will miss her.

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Tom Ford
April 19, 2015 at 2:48 pm

So sorry to hear of the passing of one of my favorite classmates at Sexton High. What a wonderful place she has gone to. She’ll be missed.

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Tim & Carolyn Courtemanche
April 20, 2015 at 11:38 pm

So sorry to hear of the passing of your mother

you and your family are in our prayers

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DON COOK
April 21, 2015 at 9:00 am

HARLOW AND FAMILY, I AM SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. MARY ELLEN WAS A TRUE INSPIRATION FOR EVERYONE THAT SHE TOUCHED. I KNOW SHE WILL BE DEARLY MISSED. [VOLUNTEER AT STONELEIGH]

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Sue and Dave Zurvalec
April 22, 2015 at 5:06 pm

Dear Harlow and family,
We are so sorry to hear of Mary Ellen’s passing. She was such a wonderful person and we have such warm memories of her – whether working with her at LSD, playing golf, MNA at Shanty Creek or shopping together. You have our deepest sympathies.
Sue and Dave Zurvalec

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