Beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother, Ellen Frances McClung, 86, of Oak Harbor died unexpectedly at her home on Jan. 12, 2009. Ellen was born Jan. 1, 1923 in Hobart, Okla., to Orville and Mary Ellen Stansberry. The bright, vivacious teenager married Maurice McClung on May 2, 1938. They celebrated over 50 years of marriage before Maurice’s death in 1999.
Ellen and her family moved from Hobart to Oak Harbor in 1944 and have lived in the Pacific Northwest ever since. For much of her life, Ellen worked as a professional cook in diverse settings: the Turkey House in Anacortes, Orcas Island Resort, the CPO Club, the Rebekahs Lodge, the Bill Boeing, Sr., household near Issaquah, and for Mr. and Mrs. Stanley McDonald (founder of Princess Cruise Lines) of Bellevue.
Ellen is survived by her son, Jerry (Susan) McClung of Oak Harbor; her daughter, Fran Opheim; her granddaughters, Kin (Jeff) Stone, Sheri (Mark) Odekirk, Pam (AJ) Osterdock, and Terri (Jimmy) Clem; and grandson, Maher (Naomi) McClung.
Ellen is survived by great-grandchildren, Jessica, Eliot, Gabriel, Rebekah, Tyler, Jimmy, Reece, and Zach, and great-great-grandson, Maddox, and by numerous relatives and friends in Washington and Oklahoma.
Ellen loved her family, cooking, and music. In her 20s, she composed and recorded songs for her family and friends. One song, “Pretty Little Butterfly,” is especially loved and remembered by her family. Ellen was a storyteller, and a store of wonderful knowledge about cooking, and much more. For several years, she enjoyed the privilege of being a stay-at-home mom. Ellen had a great love for children. Her love of family was the most near and dear thing to her heart and kept her going.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Ellen’s name to the Oak Harbor High School’s Culinary Arts Program through the Oak Harbor Education Foundation, c/o Jones Accounting Associates, 1199 SE Dock St., Oak Harbor, WA 98277; to Children’s Hospital Foundation, M/S S-200, P.O. Box 50020, Seattle, WA 98145-5020 or the charity of your choice.
There will be a memorial service for Ellen at Burley Funeral Chapel at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24. Family and friends may sign the on-line register book at www.burleyfuneralchapel.com. Arrangements are entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.
