McClure, Helen L. (Sally)

UPDATED

Helen L. (Sally) McClure, 90, of Washington, Iowa, died Sunday, June 6, 2010, at her home following an extended illness. Sally chose to be cremated. Mass of the Resurrection will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at St. James Catholic Church, Washington, with Father Paul Appel officiating. Friends can remember Sally beginning at noon Wednesday at the Jones-Eden Funeral Home, where the family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m.,  with a prayer service to be held at 8 p.m. 

Online condolences may be sent for Sally's family through the web at

Sally was born on May 19, 1920, in Washington, Iowa, the daughter of John Sr. and Helen (Henke) Mangold. She graduated from Washington High School in 1937, and was united in marriage to Don McClure on April 29, 1938, in Washington. She was a lifelong member of St. James Catholic Church and played the parish organ for many years. Following Don's death in May 1968, Sally went to business school and then worked as a legal secretary for Stewart and Shearer. Later she was employed as office manager for Washington Cablevision and became fondly known as “the cable lady.”

Sally was a talented athlete who participated in softball and tennis as a young lady. She was active in bowling leagues her entire adult life and could be found playing tennis on her 79th birthday. Attending the US Open Tennis Championship and cheering for her favorite player, Andre Agassi, was one of her fondest memories. Sally encouraged and supported her children and grandchildren in all their academic, athletic, musical and dramatic endeavors. In addition to following her own children's activities, Sally was known as “my second mom” to friends of her children who spent their high school lunch breaks in her kitchen.

Sally lovingly raised 10 children and a grandchild, Michelle. Surviving children are Phil (Cindy) McClure of Estes Park, Colo., Sylvia (Tom) Smith of Burlington, Patricia (Jim) Anderson of Decorah, Bob (Addie) McClure of Center Point, Carol (Rich) Gaard of Decorah, Donna (Dan) Hansen of Hales Corners, Wis., Pam (John) McDermott of Englewood, Colo., Mike McClure of Washington, Jo Lynn McClure of Coralville, and Sara (Steve) Sproule of North Liberty.

Grandchildren are Marcia (Dave) Carlson, Michelle McClure, Paula Hull, Tom Smith II, Heather (Dean) Banks, Ryan Hansen, Christina Gaard, Jennifer Hansen and Kelly and Ana McDermott.

Great-grandchildren are Sam Smith, Jay and Amy Carlson, Stephanie and Ashley Hull and Lily Banks.

The family extends its thanks and appreciation to the caregivers at Comfort Keepers and Hospice of Washington County for the loving care they gave our Mother.

Sally was preceded in death by her husband; parents; brothers, Ray, Leo, John Jr. and Francis; sister, Anna Mae (Sister Mary Janet) Mangold; and one son, James Dale.

Memorial donations may be made in memory of Sally to Hospice of Washington County.