Mary Ann Clough

1932 - 2023

Mary Ann Clough passed away on the evening of April 2, 2023, at the age of 91. She passed peacefully at home in Salinas, surrounded by her daughter and two of her granddaughters.

Mary was born on February 7, 1932, in Watsonville, California to Vidoje "Vido" Papac of Herzegovina and Anna (Ogresta) Papac of Yugoslavia. She attended Moreland Notre Dame High School in Watsonville, and later took secretarial courses at Hartnell College in Salinas. She married her high school sweetheart, Raymond "Bud" Clough and they spent 70 years together before his death in January of 2022. 

In her younger years, Mary played tennis, worked at her father's bar, and spent countless hours with a small group of Watsonville classmates that became lifelong friends. 

Family was Mary's first and most important priority. She and Bud raised two children, Raylene and Michael, and the family home was the hub for all gatherings and holidays for decades. While she was the quintessential homemaker, Mary also spent time working at "The Fashion" when her children were older. In later years she volunteered with Bud at various Elk's Lodge events, working in the "Cook Shack" and by serving as one of the "dessert ladies" for monthly Rib Nites.

Mary was the undisputed queen of Hallmark ornaments and had a special fondness for Christmas. Her decorated tree was legendary and was known to hold multiple ornaments per branch in order to accommodate her collection. She had a handful of famous recipes that we will all miss terribly, including her stuffed artichokes, avocado dip, and cranberry jello. She always had something up her sleeve (usually Kleenex) and loved surprising and spoiling her grandkids.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond "Bud" Clough; parents, Vido and Anna Papac; and siblings Anne Marie Papac, Stanley Papac, Robert Papac, and Nicholas Papac.

She is survived by her daughter Raylene Clough, son Mike (Phyllis) Clough, and granddaughters Melissa (Artie) Gross, Sara (Frank) Smythe, Ashley (James) Alexander, and Amber Haviland. She also leaves behind 8 great-grandchildren, Leila Gross, Jacob Machado, Kaylee Gross, Mason Haviland, Dalton Haviland, Ollie Smythe, Nash Smythe, and Olivia Alexander. She will be missed beyond measure. 

Visitation will be held at Struve and Laporte Funeral Home, 41 W. San Luis St. Salinas, Ca. 93901 on Friday, April 14, 2023 from 10:00 am - 11:45 am, with graveside services immediately following at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, 18200 Damian Way, Salinas, CA 93907.

Funeral Arrangements by Struve and Laporte Funeral Home.

Online condolences to www.struveandlaporte.com