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Claudia Mallett Obituary
Dr. Claudia Gwendolyn Jones Mallett peacefully passed away January 30, 2015 at her Bloomfield, Connecticut home with her loving husband Conrad by her side. Married to Dr. Conrad Mallett Sr. for sixty three years Claudia's memory will be cherished by her three children, Justice Conrad Mallett Jr., Dr. Lydia Mallett and Dr. Veronica Mallett. Claudia's dear friend and special sister-in-law Norlee Graves, her daughter-in-law Denise Mallett and her son-in-law Kevin Brisco as well as her grandchildren, Leah Jackson, Simone Jackson, Noel Shipp, Alex Conrad Mallett, Kristan Mallett and Lauren Mallett sincerely pray this indelible woman rests well in God's hands. Born in Chicago, Illinois on October 25th, 1929, Claudia moved to Detroit as a baby with her parents Charles and Marjorie Jones and her maternal grandparents Eugene and Edith Saunders. With her brothers Earl, Melvin, Adelbert, Vaughn, and her sisters Marjorie and Jacqueline, Claudia attended Blessed Sacrament Catholic School and graduated from Cass Technical High School in June of 1948. She went on to graduate from Wayne State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in June of 1952 and was married to Conrad Sr. on November 29th of that same year. Claudia, a superb cook and expert gardener was an adventurous, spirited woman who served as the president of her college sorority Delta Sigma Theta at Wayne State University. As a young wife and mother, Claudia was extremely active in the civil rights movement. She was the President of the Independent Negro Committee (INC) to End Racism and Ban the Bomb and also served as a member of the Board of Directors for the Women's International Strike for Peace. In 1959, she and other civil rights activists traveled to the U.S.S.R to deliver a petition requesting the cessation of nuclear bomb testing. In 1957 Claudia returned to Wayne State University to obtain her teaching certificate and began her 26 year career in Detroit Public School as an elementary and junior high school science teacher and school social worker in 1957. While raising her children, supporting fiercely the forward progress of Conrad Sr. and teaching, Claudia also continued to devote herself to the INC and Delta Sigma Theta. More than any other group with which she was affiliated, she cherished the friendship and life-long companionship of a women's group known as Flair. The women of Flair were dedicated to one cause and one cause only: each other. For 60 years these women came together regularly to laugh, love, cry and support each other through births, graduations, marriages, divorce, remarriages and widowhood. In 1963, she along with other members of the INC and UAW joined with the Reverend C. L. Franklin to organize the Detroit March for Civil Rights, Peace and Justice led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. She was on stage when Dr. King first introduced the "I Have a Dream" speech made famous in August of that year. In 1967 the INC, along with other progressive elements in the Detroit Civil Rights community lead a petition drive that secured for the Freedom Now Party a position on the State of Michigan state wide 1968 election ballot. A slate of Freedom Now Party candidates was put forth but due to lack of funding the effort to elect independent persons not affiliated with either the Republican Party or the Democrat Party failed. Soon thereafter and while working full time and raising three children she completed course work at WSU that allowed her to complete two Masters degrees. She received her Master of Education degree in 1969 and her Master of Social Work degree the following year. She became a Detroit Public School social worker in 1970 and served as the President of the PTA of both Durfee Junior High School and Cass Technical High School from 1970 until 1975. During this same time, Claudia was an active member of the Lula Belle Stewart Center for pregnant girls. She served as Board President from 1979 until 1985. Claudia completed her course work and finished her dissertation and was awarded her ED.D yet again from WSU in 1979.In 1983 Dr. Mallett moved from her Detroit home to join her husband Dr. Conrad Mallett, Sr. in Bloomfield CT. Conrad Sr. served as the President of the Greater Hartford Community College and Claudia returned to the junior high school science classroom. Year after year Dr. Mallett's Sedgewick junior high school science students received statewide recognition for academic excellence. Throughout her varied and successful career Claudia never lost her family focus. It made no difference where they were,Chicago Ill., St. Paul Minn., Memphis Tenn.,or Princeton New Jersey she was always what just a phone call away. She and Conrad Sr. retired in 1996. She traveled to the continent of Africa twice, China, Egypt, Greece, France, Alaska, Italy, Malta, New Foundland and places of interest all over the United States. She was recognized repeatedly by the State of Michigan House of Representatives, the CT General Assembly, and in 1984 was recognized by the National coalition of 100 Black Women for outstanding community service; In 1989 she received the national science teacher of the year award from the National Science Teachers Ass. In 1996 she was recognized by her students as the best Science Teacher in the history of Sedgewick School. Claudia is survived by a host of nieces, nephews and other loved ones. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Friday (February 6, 2015) at Sacred Heart Church, 26 Wintonbury Ave., Bloomfield, Connecticut. Her family will receive friends on Thursday from 3:30-6:30 p.m. at Sacred Heart Church. To send online notes of condolences, please visit www.carmonfuneralhome.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Claudia Mallett
Sponsored by the family.
Lorrie Moore-Johnson
January 28, 2024
I will always remember this wonderful woman. I worked for her, in her home, in the late 80's as a young girl. Mrs. Mallett trusted me to assist her when she hosted her fabulous dinner parties. One of my best memories was the time she hosted a dinner party, and she passed me the ingredients and the recipe, and entrusted me to complete the task, and when I was done, she smiled and had me move to the next task. I also did other task in the home, it was an honor to work for her and her husband, who was the President of Greater Hartford Community College, at that time. I am proud to say that I moved out of state, after I returned back to CT, I persuaded my career and completed my degree, and I now work in the classroom for students with developmental challenges, it's a pleasure and I would often think of how she would want me to conduct myself. Nothing other then with a soft voice, kind heart, and transferring my knowledge to my students to make them the person that this society is waiting for.
Continue your peaceful rest!
Mrs.Lorrie Moore-Johnson
Heather Ramirez
January 27, 2023
I'll never forget when Grandma danced salsa with my new husband, fresh from Cuba. She always loved and accepted me as is. I miss her dearly. She made me not only want to do better, but to be a good person about it as well.
Lorrie Moore-Johnson
March 2, 2015
I had the pleasure of working in Mrs. Maillot'so home in the mid 80's as her assistance cook,helping her for some of her dinner parties.I was a student at Greater Hartford Community, I continue my education and completed my B.A at University of Hartford. One of my favorite memories, was when she hosted a dinner party,and she entrusted me to make some of her main dishes. I remember her giving me the ingredients and the instruction,and left me in charge. Boy what a great feeling of empowerment! What a wonderful person to have been in the company of.
God Bless
Dorothy Johnson
February 5, 2015
Claudia started teaching only 1/2 year before me at Sedgwick. We soon knew that we were sisters, friends, compatriots, holding the same beliefs and rules as well as engaging in the same mischief and enjoying the same things. You taught me so much about love and life and the world as it should be. Claudia was the most influential teacher I worked with - when one of us discovered something we felt was positive for the students, we shared it with each other; we traded classrooms at times to see how we could improve. I never could achieve her quiet "lady like" auora but I admired and loved for even more for it. She was dedicated to so many things - true and pure dedication. She was low key, yet a driving force that persisted until what was needed was accomplished. Were there any areas she didn't excel in? I remember when she was talking about retiring, she told me she was going to take time to put all of her pictures in order; she thought a few seconds, started laughing and said mischievously, "I don't want to spend my retirement putting damn pictures in a book" - she had more important goals. I never knew her to not have several goals -- noteworthy, admirable but she also took time to have fun and enjoy life. I am just so sorry for the loss the family must feel because I, too, feel the loss, even though we had both been retired and not in contact for a while. But when we were away, we easily picked up where we left off. I was staying overwhelmed by landscaping my 5 acres; her advice; hire someone to do that; you have better things to do and besides, it spreads the money around. She felt the same about keeping her house immaculate. Spread the money around, get a housekeeper to help you so you can help others. Oh the delight we had in teaching science (mostly chemistry and physics) - hands on, minds on. How much of our own salary we spent just so we could have a chemical or piece of machinery or whatever -- we never even thought about it. If it seemed the best way for the students to discover the principle, and no money for it; no further thought. It was a done deal. My cohort. My friend. I miss you. i hope you know how much I admired and loved you. The first principal we worked under called us the "Two Musketeers" because if we thought it would enhance our program, we went to him. Once he told us, 'just do it but don't tell me about it." Fair lady - you worked relentlessly for civil rights, for young girls, for students, for all people who were fighting the good fight.
Lynn Rubenstein
February 5, 2015
I had the honor to work as a Paraprofessional in Claudia's Science classroom at Sedgewick Middle School. Her soft spoken ways made the students excell in every way. She was a wonderful person.
Lynn Rubenstein
February 5, 2015
My sincere condolence to the family. She was a beautiful and talented lady. We are fortunate that she touched our lives in so many ways.We hope to see you again. Soror Cornelia Banks Ford
February 5, 2015
To Dr. Mallett and his family
We are honored to have met such a marvelous woman. Our heartfelt condolences to the family for the loss of a loved one. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Barbara Chan and Mike Mulready
Marcelle Mitchell
February 4, 2015
Precious Memories...Oh how they linger...Praying with you during this time.
February 2, 2015
Deepest condolences on the loss of Claudia. She was an exemplary teacher, woman of strength and kindness, and I feel privileged to have worked with a woman of her caliber. Extending deepest condolences to the entire family during this difficult time. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Joan Samuels Kaiser
February 2, 2015
With heartfelt condolences to the Mallett family on your Dear loss. May our Lord grant you peace.
--Dr. J. Salvador Saldivar
February 2, 2015
Dr. Mallet's wonderful obituary, as accomplished as she is, must not even come close to the beautiful person she must have been. With all of the hard work, love and dedication outlined so lovely in this writing, we can just imagine how hard this must be on the family and friends to lose her. Our deepest condolences to the family of this legendary woman. Sincerely, Patti Kukula and Jim Chylinski
Susan Rand Brown
February 2, 2015
Honored to have been even a small part of Dr. Claudia Mallet's panoramic lifespan. She glowed with energy; now we know of her extreme modesty. Best Sedgwick School science teacher -- ever! Her passionate commitment to civil rights and human dignity, dedication to her beloved family and personal and professional community, all the while never wavering in her pursuit of knowledge & ever higher academic credentials -- is only a part of her legacy. She was courageous, held her head high & marched through life with a twinkle in her eyes. May her memory remain a source of strength. Susan Rand Brown and Daniel Kelman
Heather Ramirez
February 2, 2015
I love my Grandma Mallett so much! Her and my Grandfather are the reason that I believe in True Love! 64 Years. I pray that Peace will keep us in this time and we can reflect on the positive moments & blessings we have had all these years with Grandma near.
-Heather Ramirez
-Heather Ramirez
Jesse & Wilhelmina Campbell
February 2, 2015
We would like to extend our condolences to the Mallet family. We were Blessed to have lived near the Mallets in the late 80's and early 90's. The Town of Bloomfield was fortunate to have such wonderful people living in it's community. We thank God for our having known the Mallet family. Please know that you are in our prayers.
Carmon Funeral Homes, Inc.
February 2, 2015
With deepest sympathy during your time of mourning.
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