Claudia Jean (Cj) Farrington Reed, age 71, passed away peacefully but unexpectedly in the early morning hours of Nov. 29, 2017. She was born in Tooele, Utah, on May 5, 1946, to Calthorpe Kimball and Jean Roach Farrington.
Claudia grew up in Tooele, attended local schools and was a member of the Tooele High Class of ’64. She spent most of her life in Tooele County, with the exception of a few years in Salt Lake City, Alaska and Arizona.
Claudia was married to Frank L. Reed on May 16, 1998. She had previous marriages to Elgia LaGrow (divorced) with whom she had two sons, and Robert B. Mitchell (divorced) with whom she had another son.
Conversation with Claudia was always interesting, thought provoking, and/or fun. Claudia had a great sense of humor and a great sense of adventure. She loved crafting, gambling, bingo, playing cards, lunching with friends, traveling and most of all, she loved her family. She and Frank were avid travelers. They visited much of the United States and southern Canada by motor home to explore and spend time with kids and grandkids. They have also visited five of the seven continents, most recently returning from a cruise to the Baltic Sea including Russia. They were actively enjoying their golden years while checking off their bucket lists.
For years, Claudia volunteered and eventually became a full-time employee of New Reflection House, a day program of Valley Mental Health (Tooele) where her clients became her friends. She found joy and satisfaction in her passion to help them. She and Frank were thrilled when many of them were able to attend their wedding. She also volunteered at the Tooele Senior Citizen Center overseeing their bingo activity and enjoyed her many friendships there.
Claudia is survived by her husband, Frank; sons Elgia (Becky) LaGrow, Michael LaGrow and Zachary (Katy) Mitchell; stepsons, Brandon (Diana) Reed, Jeffery (Elizabeth) Reed, Wade (Catherine) Reed; her ‘like a daughter,’ Marcia Mitchell (Bruce) Landergren; 24 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.
Claudia is also survived by her siblings, Colleen (Leon, deceased) Oliver, Jim (Nedra) Farrington, Kay (Larry) Shubert, Jeannine (Laurie) Farrington, Dana Dee (John) Stahl, and Rhonda “Bitzie” Smith; many nieces and nephews as well as her life-long friend, Sharon Yates Halladay, and faithful dog, Quincy. She was preceded in death by her parents.
A memorial service will be held at Tate Mortuary, 110 S. Main St., Tooele, on Dec. 2 at 1 p.m. The family will receive visitors from noon to 1 p.m. at Tate Mortuary.