Kathleen Clavelle

Kathleen Blow Clavelle passed away on November 17, 2024 as a result of pancreatic cancer. She accepted the challenge to fight the disease but ultimately chose to continue her journey without enduring the debilitating side effects of the treatments.
Kathy was born on May 4, 1954, in Burlington, Vermont to Thomas J. Blow and Gabrielle Audette Blow.
She loved to dance (at Loretta Sousie's Dance Studio) and sing. She and her talented friends and schoolmates sang at St. Joseph's Church for 15 years. Their voices and musical instruments harmonized at weddings, funerals and at church masses. She and her friends had such beautiful voices the priest would let them wander outside the sphere of only religious songs, John Denver being one such exception.
Kathy graduated from Rice Memorial High School in 1972 and from the University of Vermont in 1976 with a degree in early childhood development. She loved the inquisitive nature and positive energy of children, as demonstrated by her work as a nanny, substitute teacher, and most of all, as a terrific mother.
She was married to Ray Clavelle Jr. on June 12, 1976. She worked at Champlain College as Assistant Housing Director from the mid-1970s to the early 80s but halted her career when her children were born; Adam and Alex were fortunate to have had an at-home Mom.
When her sons were in middle school she wanted to go back to work, and she happily worked at Claussen's Perennial Farm - specializing in perennials.
Kathy's loves in life were her family, singing, gardening, and living on her beloved island of Eleuthera in The Bahamas. Beautiful gardens appeared wherever she lived.
Kathy was preceded in death by her parents, Tom (Jiji) and Gabrielle (Betsy/Baba) Audette Blow, and her brother, Andrew. She is survived by her husband of 48 years, Ray/Raymie; her son, Adam, his wife, Katie (Yost), and their two children, Benjamin and Max; her son, Alex - who was born on her birthday - and his wife, Molly Gray. She is also survived by her brother, Dan Blow and his partner, Larry Wilhelm; her sister, Jayne Blow; her brother, John Blow and his wife Deanna; niece Tyra, and grand-niece Josephine; and nephews Jake, Ryan, Dylan, Tei, and grand-nephew Toshi.
She also leaves behind mother-in-law, Eleanor (Dang) Clavelle; sister-in-law Anne (Clavelle) Obbagy, married to Tom Obbagy; sister-in-law Betsy (Clavelle) Cain; brother-in-law Peter Clavelle, married to Betsy Ferries; Stephen Clavelle, married to Bonni Clavelle; 9 nieces and nephews and their partners, and 10 grand-nieces and nephews as well as many cousins and relatives who are the stewards of Camp Overlake in Malletts Bay.
Kathy's grandchildren, Benjamin (Benji) and Max Clavelle were the best things that ever walked the face of her earth. The boys loved spending time with their Grandy, as they referred to her, and their grandfather, Raymie. They especially enjoyed looking at family photos with Grandy, helping her water the flowers at Camp Overlake, and preparing her "meals" in their play kitchen.
Kathy would bring a positive energy to any room. She was always asked by friends for gardening advice, which she happily obliged. She was a beautiful, independent and intelligent woman who will be sorely missed.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the McClure Miller Respite House in Kathy's name. https://www.uvmhomehealth.org/donate/make-an-online-donation/
A celebration of Kathy's life will be held in the spring, once the perennials begin to bloom again.