Clare Skaggs

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With her beloved children, Cameron and Christina, by her bedside, Clare lost her five-year battle with cancer on July 30, with many of her friends coming by to say goodbye to her.

Clare moved to Pagosa Springs in 1998 after retiring from her 35-year career as an elementary school teacher in southern California. She pursued her love of books with the opening of The Second Story Used Book Store, which was also a gathering place for coffee, conversation and games. Clare was also a prominent member of the Chimney Rock Interpretive Association and devoted many hours as a volunteer out at Chimney Rock, which she continued to do through 2016. With her love for animals, she also volunteered at the Humane Society, when she was able, mostly with the TNR program.

Clare loved music and would attend all the musical programs, Community Choir, the various band performances, the high school and CUP productions and her favorite, the young singers in the Girls Choir.

Clare also enjoyed her time spent at the Community Center, whether it was playing pickleball a couple times a week or playing bridge with her friends.

Clare is survived by her sister, Winifred Plager, and her children Christina, Cameron, and Craig; her grandchildren, Caitlin, Corey, Angelica, Nathaniel and Kiel; as well as three great-grandchildren. Clare was preceded in death by her beloved granddaughter, Samantha.

At Clare’s request, there will be no funeral or memorial service. She would be happy if her friends would remember her by making a donation to the Pagosa Springs Humane Society, and the animals she loved, in her name.