Claudia Bailey's Obituary
Our beloved mother, Claudia Francis Bailey, passed away peacefully in her home in Tacoma, WA on June 10, 2025 at the age of 88. Claudia was born to Richard Harold and Vivian Mae (Robbins) Grenfell in West Seattle, Washington.
She graduated from West Seattle High School in 1955. She met her future husband, Barry Bailey, in 1954 while skating at Southgate Roller Rink in White Center. Skating was a favorite activity for her and her group of family and friends, and they spent their weekends making skating skirts and hanging out at the rink.
Barry and Claudia married on January 20, 1956. Together, they enjoyed camping, bowling and time with family.
As a child, she longed for a big family, with lots of children. Although this wasn’t meant to be, she built relationships with her friends and their children. Eventually, they were to have one daughter, Justis, and her focus for many years was in building a home and raising her. They gained a son-in-law when Justis married Charles McLaren in 2001. And another daughter in 2007, when Barry and Claudia legally adopted Destiny Kelledy. The story of Destiny’s adoption became a favorite for her to tell to whomever would listen.
The entire extended family starting attending Grandview Baptist Church in 1974, and they built a large community in this church. Most Sundays were spent together at potlucks and church activities.
She also became a day care worker, and helped to care for children in several centers over the years. She loved this work and would often become very attached to the babies she cared for.
Barry and Claudia also deeply enjoyed service in Senior Living Centers, volunteering at several in the area. They sang together and often brought smiles and memories to the residents.
In her personal time, she enjoyed reading, cross stitch and scrapbooking. She also loved a trip to the mountains, and sitting by the river became a particular favorite in the last year.
Those who have gone before her are her husband, Barry, her parents, her beloved sister, Judy and Laverne Lagle, Judy’s husband.
She will live in the hearts of Justis, Destiny, Charlie and numerous other people whose lives she touched along the way. Her legacy will be honored each spring in the flowers we plant in her memory – every flower is a smile from her. Every butterfly that visits will be a sign of her love. Her creativity will live on through us in every stitch we make and every colored pencil we use.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the Federal Way Library on 1st Way S. on September 20th, 2025 at 2:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, we suggest a donation to the Washington’s National Park Fund (www.wnpf.org). If you are attending the Celebration, we encourage you to bring new or used books, CDs and DVDs to donate to the Friends of the Federal Way Library, a non-profit that supports the efforts of the library and their service to the community.
What’s your fondest memory of Claudia?
What’s a lesson you learned from Claudia?
Share a story where Claudia's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Claudia you’ll never forget.
How did Claudia make you smile?