Cecilia Claire Morton

1935 - 2019

Claire Morton was born on Jan. 9, 1935, to Bill and Helen Nofield in Lestock Saskatchewan, Canada. Raised by a single mother, as one of nine children, Claire lived a simple life enjoying all kinds of sports, games, dancing, singing and work. The joy of Claire's life was in her work. She often said to her family, "Learn to enjoy the feeling of a hard days work, and teach it to others."
Claire joined the Royal Canadian Air Force at the age of 18, and served as an air traffic controller for three years. She moved to the U.S., married, and had her first daughter, Cathy, in 1956. Both Cathy and Claire survived a massive fire at a Washington State Fairgrounds in 1959. Her second daughter, Jacqueline, was born in 1964. After purchasing a carnival ride in Alaska in fall 1966, the family traveled up the Alcan Highway as they had planned to retrieve it and operate in the Pacific Northwest. Instead, Claire was convinced by the President of Greater Anchorage Inc. to leave the ride in the state and return in February to operate the carnival midway for Fur Rendezvous in 1967. This began Claire's distinguished career as a carnival owner, where for years she was one of the only woman to accomplish such a feat. Claire never wanted to be fully retired. She loved coming to the shop, attending an auction or helping out in the ticket line during a festival or fair. She loved all the people that came out to play at the carnival, especially the little ones. It was truly her pleasure to put a lifetime of work into creating a fun and safe place for people to enjoy!
Claire was the first Madam President of the Showmen's League of America, which was established in 1913 by a group of outdoor showmen who chose the legendary performer Buffalo Bill Cody as their first President (learn more at showmensleague.org). She was the President of the Northwest and Royal Hawaiian Showmen's Clubs. Claire was committed to making a difference for the people who work and play in the amusement industry.
Claire is survived by her daughters, Cathy Morton, and Jacqueline and Joseph Leavitt; grandchildren, Kyle and Sarah Holbrook, Joli Holbrook, Chase and Chelsea Eckert and Hayden, Alissa, Alexis and Bailey Leavitt; great-grandchildren, Emerson and Everett Holbrook; and five brothers and sisters.
Cecilia Claire Morton had a big beautiful life, and in the end, she wanted to be known for how she loved Jesus.
John 13:35 "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."