Obituary: Clare Miller Wood

Clare Miller Wood, 80, of Sturgeon Bay, formerly of Baileys Harbor, died Saturday, November 26, 2016 at her home.

She was born May 28, 1936 in Sturgeon Bay, the daughter of Whitely Lycan Miller and Dorothy (Augustine) Miller. Clare graduated from Sturgeon Bay High School in 1954 and went on to study at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, her father’s alma mater. She became a member of the Alpha Gamma Delta sorority and earned her bachelor’s degree in education, graduating in 1958. Clare was an elementary school teacher in public and private elementary schools for over 25 years, most recently teaching the third grade at St. Alphonsus Catholic School in Ocean Springs, MS, retiring in 2001.

Over the years, she enjoyed documenting the history of her families’ cottage on North Bay, which her grandfather and father had constructed, as well as neighboring properties. Clare was able to spend every summer of her 80 years at North Bay, a place that she loved with all her heart. She passed that love of North Bay down to her children and grandchildren, always showing them the wildlife and different species of flowers, trees, and other things that made North Bay so special to her. Clare loved going on adventures with her grandchildren, Michael and Michelle. She also compiled and edited a book on the North Bay cottages that included history on each cottage provided by the families; this was finished and published in June 2014. Compiling this book led Clare to join the Write On Door County and regularly attended its “Writing Group for Seniors,” which she joined in the fall of 2015.

Clare attended the Sturgeon Bay and Sister Bay Moravian Churches while living in Door County. She was a volunteer at the Door County Library in Sturgeon Bay. Clare was a fan of many things UW, especially the marching band and basketball and football teams. She was also a die-hard Packers fan who provided her “Packer Poems” after each game to her friends and family.

Clare’s love will live on in the hearts of her daughter, Melinda “Lindy” (Richard) Kidman, Jr. of Pine Grove, CA; two grandchildren, Michael and Michelle Kidman; and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

A celebration of Clare’s life will be held in the summer of 2017.

Memorials may be given in her honor to Birch Creek Music Performance Center in Egg Harbor, the Door County Library, or Feed and Clothe My People.

Huehns Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Sturgeon Bay is assisting her family. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.huehnsfuneralhome.com.