Cleo Champagne Tibbutt

Cleo Champagne Tibbutt
November 2, 1915 - August 5, 2010

Cleo passed away peacefully, holding Tod's hand, her husband of 68 years. She grew up in Klamath Falls, Ore., and was a pirncess in the 1941 Portland Rose Festival.

She graduated from business school in Portland, Ore., and worked as a personal secretary for executives with PP&L and Fluhrer's Bakery.

Cleo and Tod met on a ski trip to Crater Lake. They arrived seperately and left together. They married in Reno, Nev. on the Fourth of July, so they celebrated every anniversary with fireworks.

The Rogue Valley was their home. Cleo was active in Junior Service League, Rogue Valley Hospital Pink Ladies, Country Club and Bridge Club. She loved her part time job at Sample Fashions after her daughter went off to college. But, Cleo's priority was always to be the best housewife and mother she could be. She adored her family and excelled as the best wife, mother, and grandmother anyone could ever have.

In her later years, Tod and Cleo could be found 8 days a week at Mr. Smith's for lunch, and Colony Far East for dinner. Friends knew where they could be found and were always welcome to join them.

Although her limited mobility made it difficult to get out the past year, she always made it to the beauty shop to have her hair done, she carefully combed her hair and put on makeup everyday. She was always the beautiful woman, inside and out.

Cleo had a smile that lit up the the room. She was always a proper lady who was kind, generous, sincere and gracious anb she will be missed by all who knew her. To know her was to love her.

She is survived by her husband, Tod; daughter, Terri; grandson, Ian; son-in-law, Art; sister, Betty Purcell; sister-in-laws, Betty Jean Case, Faye Louise Erz, Fran Tibbutt and their families.

At Cleo's request, no service will be held. She would just ask that we smile often, forgive and be kind to each other. Her favorite charity was Jackson County Humane Society. www.southernoregonhumane.org