Clara Mae Butler Champion

Clara Mae Butler Champion of Sebastopol, CA, passed away peacefully at her home on September 12, 2010. "Mommae," as she was known to her family and friends, was born in Agaña, Guam, January 18, 1919, to Chester Carl Butler and Ignacia Bordallo Butler. Married 52 years to the late Milton H. Champion, US Army Air Corps, Ret., she was mother to Consuelo Burdette of San Jose, CA, Jacqui (Gary) McMahon of Santa Rosa, CA, Gerard (Cecilia) Champion of Agaña, Guam, Gregory Champion, Donna Champion, and Ron (Jill) Champion, of Sebastopol. She is survived by 13 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. Predeceased by her grandson, Steven McMahon, and brothers Harry, Ben, and Jim Butler. She is also survived by her two sisters, Sister Carmencita and Sister Martha, Carmelite order, in San Francisco, CA. Mae and Milton were married on Guam in 1939. She came to live with her husband in Oakland after a whirlwind romance and honeymoon in Honolulu. Mae and her family lived in Oakland, eventually settling in Sebastopol, where they built, owned and operated the A&W Drive-In for many years. She enjoyed family gatherings, music, laughter, travel, genealogy, gardening, and volunteering in church activities where she taught religious education for many years. A member of the YLI of St. Sebastian's Parish, Mae was a woman of deep faith who instilled in her children and grandchildren the power of prayer. Visitation will be held at PLEASANT HILLS MORTUARY, 1700 Pleasant Hill Rd., Sebastopol, Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2010, 5:00-7:00 p.m., followed by recitation of the Rosary at 7:00 p.m. A funeral Mass will be held at St. Rose Catholic Church, 398 10th St., Santa Rosa, CA, on Thursday, Sept. 16, 2010, 1:00 p.m., followed by burial at Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Santa Rosa. Donations may be made to Little Sisters of the Poor, St. Anne's Home, 300 Lake St., San Francisco, CA 94118.