Phyllis (Smith) McClenahan

Obituary

Class of 1933

Apr. 9, 1915 – Feb. 24, 2014

Phyllis (Smith) McClenahan was born in Weiser, Idaho April 9th, 1915. She died in Boise February 24, 2014. She was the middle daughter of Franklin Roland Smith and Mable Gertrude Smith. Although she and her husband traveled frequently in later years, Phyllis always said that the move from Weiser to Boise was enough for one lifetime.

She attended the College of Idaho as a music major (piano her specialty). Her favorite professor told her that if her hands were as good as her ears, she’d be a concert pianist. For the rest of her life, she brought much joy to herself and others by being able to play almost anything, in any key. Just hum a few bars.

She met her husband Donald Johnston McClenahan at the College of Idaho. After graduation, she taught school in both Hailey and Emmett, Idaho. When Don left for law school in Washington, DC she followed, and they were married in 1941. After the war, they returned to Idaho. She was the leader of the children’s choir at the First Presbyterian Church on State Street in Boise. In the mid-50s, Phyllis started a kindergarten in the basement of her home.

She subsequently worked with her husband to develop legislation regulating the type of facility required for such child care. She also worked with him in getting the Idaho driver training Manual translated into Spanish. She started taking Spanish lessons in her 60s. After the kindergarten years, she taught handicapped children at the Elks Hospital.

She was active in the League of Women Voters and managed the ticket sales of the Boise Philharmonic (in the days when the computer was a shoebox full of paper). She was also a reluctant but loyal member of the PEO (and she never did tell us what those initials meant). She was a great cook, always making everything “from Scratch”, including soap. Her sense of humor, “spunk” as she would say, and her warm regard for her fellow beings are just part of the legacy she leaves.

She had four children: Judy Banis (Chris), Susan Glaetzer (Richard), John McClenahan (Rosemary), and Mike McClenahan. There are six grandchildren: Danielle, Neil, Trevor (Missy), Jessica, and Caroline McClenahan, and Brendan Glaetzer.

Sister-in-law Kathleen McClenahan (Ken) and son-in-law Richard Glaetzer also survive Phyllis.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her husband, Donald, her parents, daughter Susan, sisters Jean Abrams and Shirley Cole, brother-in-law Ken, son-in-law Chris. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the College of Idaho Music Department.

There will be a celebration of her life on Saturday, March 8th, 2pm to 5pm, at 1111 North 17th Street, Boise.

From The Idaho Statesman – Boise, Idaho – Wednesday, March 05, 2014