Nancy McLellan Claitor

Family and friends mourn the untimely death of Nancy McLellan Claitor. She died surrounded by her loved ones on Wednesday, October 22, 2014, following a devastating automobile accident. A longtime resident of Baton Rouge, Nancy spent her early years in Boyce, Louisiana in the home of her maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Albert McNeely Dean. She enjoyed her extended family and made frequent visits to relatives living in Colfax and on Fairmont and Ravencamp plantations nearby. During this time she studied and taught ballet before graduating from Providence Academy in Alexandria, Louisiana with honors. After attending Northwestern State University and Louisiana State University she earned her RN degree from Touro School of Nursing in 1956 where her classmates honored her with the "Most Likely to Succeed" award. Success in her studies continued and in 1996 she was awarded the MS in Psychiatric Nursing from Loyola University, New Orleans. Her career in nursing included the practice of geriatric nursing at OLOL. Even after she retired she continued her interest in nursing and remained an active alumnae and member of the American Nurses Association. At the time of her death she was Harbor Master and co-owner of Marina del Ray in Madisonville, Louisiana of a co-owner and former manager of Claitor's Law Books and Publishing Co. in Baton Rouge. Nancy was a French enthusiast; she travelled extensively in France, was a member of L'Assemblee Francaise and served for many years on the Board of Directors of Friends of French Studies, LSU. She was a member of the Woman's Club, Inc., the Junior League of Baton Rouge, Inc., Potpourri Study Club and she was an active member of the First United Methodist Church for many years. Above all, Nancy cherished her family; she is survived by her adoring husband of 59 years, Robert Gregory Claitor, Sr. She was devoted to her surviving sons and their wives; James Dean Claitor, Robert Gregory Claitor, Jr. and wife Monique; Daniel Albert Claitor and wife Sharmaine, Jon Fleming Claitor and wife Molly all of Baton Rouge. Louisiana. Additional survivors include her brother, Albert Kenneth McLellan and wife Anita of Boyce, Louisiana; grandchildren include Samuel Gregory Claitor, James Daniel Claitor and Jon Patrick Claitor; step-grandchildren, Justin Hukins, Robby Alford, Rachel Mixon and Adam Mixon; a nephew, Kenneth McLellan and cousins, Dee McNeely Wellan, Pamela Wellan McGraw, B. Louis Wellan, T. Hunter McNeely, III, Michelle McNeely Domingue, Kenneth Hunter McNeely, Amanda McNeely Mixon, Mary Jo Dean Smith, Kathryn Caroline Smith Bicknell, Albert Alan Dean, Robert Alan Dean, Virginia Dean Nolan, Nancye Dean Allison, Sallie Dean and Jessie Dean; and a family friend, Anthony Cassard. Preceded in death by her parents, Archibald Kenneth McLellan and Jewel Dean McLellan; her grandparents, Albert McNeely Dean and Jessie Caroline Dean. She has left countless memories of a life well lived, filled with love for family and friends. Visitation will be at First United Methodist Church, 930 North Boulevard, Monday, October 27, 2014, from 12 noon until religious services at 2:00 p.m. conducted by Rev. Brady Whiddon. Interment will follow in the Claitor plot at Magnolia Cemetery. Her grandchildren will serve as pall bearers. Honorary pallbearers are Michael P. Corry, Marc P. Couvillion, Martin A. Padial, Ross C. Wheeler, and Arnaud Vidal.