Claudia J. Hollod

March 19, 1949 - February 11, 2021

Claudia J. Hollod

March 19, 1949 - February 11, 2021

Obituary

Claudia Jean McAulay Hollod, age 71, died peacefully at home with family at her side on February 11, 2021 following a lengthy struggle with early-onset Alzheimer’s.

She was born in March 1949 in Burlington, Washington to Barbara and Kenneth McAulay. Barbara died when Claudia was a young girl.

In 1962 Claudia’s father, Ken, blended families with Louise Ayer who had three children. Both families had lost a spouse/parent to illness and the 2nd marriage was a joyful event for all.

Claudia graduated from Lynden High School in 1969 and subsequently graduated from WSU with an English degree and later earned a master’s degree in special education from CSU, Sacramento. Her career as a teacher/reading specialist began at Meridian Grade school and led to meeting her life-long companion, soulmate, and husband, Dan Hollod. They married in August of 1979 and soon were blessed with two children, Josh and Katie who both currently live in Bellingham with their spouses. They were present to assist their father in providing loving care for Claudia at home as her disease progressed.

Claudia never faltered in her loyalty and dedication to her husband, children, parents, siblings, extended family, friends and students. She devoted much of her time and energy providing support and caregiving to family members and friends as they grew old or facing difficult times, including her work as a Stephen Minister.

In her spare time, Claudia served the community by volunteering for charitable events/programs and joined efforts that addressed environmental/development/political issues. Claudia could be contentious when she felt strongly about a situation, so you wanted her on your team.

A Birch Bay beach home was passed on to her from her biological mother and had been in the family for generations. Life-time memories were made there with all who knew and loved her, a precious retreat of sentimental value. She loved walking on the beach, agate hunting, crabbing, clam digging, gardening, and the 4th of July celebration. The community of life-long friends at the beach were beloved to her.

Claudia was an avid reader of literature and poetry, and enjoyed music and nature. Even in the later stages of her Alzheimer’s she still would comment about the beauty and color of the sky, and was fascinated with birds, flowers and wildlife that caught her eye.

Claudia was preceded in death by her biological mother, Barbara McAulay, father, Kenneth McAulay, stepmother Louise McAulay, sister, Judy Buchholz, and sister-in-law, Sue Ayer. She is survived by her husband Dan Hollod, son Josh and his wife Katrina, daughter Katie and her husband Dan. She is also survived by her brother Ron Ayer, and sister Lisa Ayer-Rand and her husband Guy.

In lieu of flowers, her family requests donations be made to Whatcom Hospice Foundation.

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17 responses to Claudia J. Hollod

  1. CLARK CYR says:

    Claudia and I were friends for nearly 60 years! Although we haven’t spent much time together recently, Claudia was the rare kind of friend that I always knew would be there for me. I knew we could always pick up our friendship exactly where we left off. Claudia was very kind and caring. I will never forget our friendship.
    Clark Cyr

    Claudia was Clark’s “Best Person” at our wedding in 1980; and she was just that…. a BEST PERSON and FRIEND. I really appreciated Claudia, when our 1st daughter was very young and I returned to some part time work, Claudia offered to care for Sarah when I worked. Leaving my precious daughter in traditional child care, seemed horrible to me. However, I always knew that Sarah was having fun playing with Katie and Claudia, learning for “teacher Claudia”, and in the best hands with loving Claudia! Sarah was happy to go to Claudia’s, and always happy when I picked her up. That meant SO much to me! Thank you Claudia! Claudia was indeed, a TREASURE.

    C caring
    L loving, loved, lovely
    A admired and respected
    U unselfish
    D devoted to family, friends, and those in need
    I intelligent, independent
    A ADORED

    Bev Cyr

  2. Dan, Katie, Josh and family,
    We were so sad to hear of Claudia’s passing. She was such a wonderful neighbor. We always admired her open and inquiring nature and her sense of duty to the community. One of our favorite memories of
    Claudia were those neighborhood meetings at her house. She always wanted everyone to feel included and to get to know each other. Claudia was just so special, it was an honor to know her.
    Neighbors, Betty and Gordy

  3. Ken Lewis says:

    Sorry to hear of Claudia’s passing.
    I first met her at the Methodist church. Vic said she was his cousin. I can’t remember what year she started at LHS, but she always seemed to like me, so I liked her.
    We graduated in 1967 and both were among the 18 of that class that went on to WSU.
    Many holidays she rode back and forth to Lynden with Bea Kooy and I. Always a good passenger (didn’t need to hang a grease rag over the speedometer).
    We’ll miss her at reunions and I won’t be able to tweak her anymore about how horrified I was that all my kids were going to Meridian. Got an immediate reaction every time.

  4. Eydie Berry says:

    We will miss your sweet smile and welcoming attitude.
    Your neighbors,
    The Berrys

  5. Dan Shuler says:

    Dan & Extended Family

    I saw that Claudia was no longer with us when i saw her obituary in the Lynden Tribune today. I have to admit i was extremely shocked and am hurting because of the pain your family is going through. I graduated from LHS in 1970 and knew Claudia and her parents well. I lived next door to Claudia’s parents for a few years during their retirement years. The whole family was all awesome….especially Claudia! I will always have the utmost respect for your family and pray that God is with you during this time of loss and healing. I will miss her too!

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