Claire Adele Aucoin Herthum

Claire Herthum, a native and lifelong resident of Baton Rouge, passed away on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2008, at Landmark of Baton Rouge Nursing Facility. Born Nov. 14, 1922, she was 85. "Cla-dele," as she was known to her closest friends was a graduate of St. Joseph's Academy, Class of 1939. Claire Adele joined the U.S. Navy during World War II, where she served as a WAVE. After completing her duty, she returned home and married Louis Walter Herthum, of Baton Rouge. She worked for the Esso Refinery and later started her long-term tenure as an employee of the state of Louisiana. She held positions as administrative assistant to the state's then-legislative auditor, J.B. Lancaster, until his retirement and continued with his successor, Joe Burris, until she was hired by Joseph N. Traigle after his appointment as collector of revenue. She stayed on as Mr. Traigle's assistant for 12 years. When Traigle left state government to become president of American Bank, Claire became Traigle's administrative assistant at the bank after she retired from the state. She remained in that position through three successive presidents and, after 11 years, retired in 1989, leaving a work history where she was greatly admired and is still fondly remembered. She is survived by two children, daughter, Claire Herthum Major, Baton Rouge; son, Louis Whitney Herthum, Santa Monica, Calif.; son-in-law, Richard Allen Major, Baton Rouge; three grandchildren, Whitney Adele Major and Alex Rurick Major, both of Baton Rouge, and Olivia Catherine Martin, of Bollingbrook, Ill.; two sisters-in-law, Thelma Cowart Herthum, Baton Rouge, and Francis Herthum Lewis, Stratford, Conn.; two nieces, Leesa Lewis Heath, West Hartford, Conn., and Lori Lewis, Maui, Hawaii; two nephews, Lance Lewis, Richmond, Calif., and Lane Lewis, New York; devoted friend, Mary Lou Beck, along with many wonderful bridge buddies and numerous cousins throughout Louisiana. She was preceded in death by two daughters, Denise Adele Herthum and Diane Elizabeth Herthum; brother, Whitney Phillip Aucoin Jr.; and mother and father, Capt. Whitney Phillip Aucoin Sr. and Adele Duhon Aucoin; and brother-in-law, Harold G. Herthum. Claire was an avid bridge player and a devoted mother and grandmother. All who were fortunate to know her remember her warm, caring and giving nature. She continues to give even in death, donating her body to science through the LSU School of Medicine in New Orleans. Visitation at St. Joseph's Cathedral, Fourth Street and Main, Baton Rouge, on Thursday, Sept. 18, from 1:30 p.m. until memorial Mass at 2 p.m.