Claire Stewart Dyckman
August 9, 1945 - April 28, 2022
Obituary
It is with great sadness, we announce the passing of Claire Stewart Dyckman. Claire passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, on April 28, 2022. She was a bright spark in this world and will be deeply missed by many.
Born in El Centro, California to Stewart and Timmie Dyckman, Claire was the first of four children. When her father became a Navy Veteran, the family moved to Highland Park, Texas, where her three siblings were born. In 1952, the family then moved to Calgary, where Claire had a happy, busy childhood, enjoying school, many friends and activities. She attended Smith College with a degree in Political Science. After graduating from Smith, Claire joined the Peace Corps and was sent to Chad for two years. After she left Chad, Claire spent months traveling before returning home. Claire attended Huxley College, earning her Master’s in Education. She taught at the tribal school in Tulalip, for a short time.
Claire became a true Washingtonian, enjoying a full career and gaining friends in different sectors. In 1992, Claire started and managed the Environmental Education program in the King County department that issued building permits. In that role, Claire never shrank away from controversial topics, while bringing people together to discuss various land use regulations and how to better protect salmon. In the late 1990s, Claire moved to the Agriculture Program in King County’s Department of Natural Resources Using her unique ability to bring together farmers and county scientists with competing needs. She also spent many years staffing the King County Agriculture Commission, gaining the respect and friendship of farmers throughout the county before retiring in 2014.
In retirement, Claire enjoyed gardening and visiting with friends and family. Claire had a magnetic personality and a wonderful enthusiasm for life. She had a generous heart, and was always giving or helping others in need. Her enthusiasm for life inspired her adventurous spirit. She was incredibly well traveled. Claire’s daughter Chantae and her young family were her entire world and brought the most joy to her life. Claire was an amazing mother to Chantae, devoting herself to showing Chantae as much of the world as she could, and ensuring she was loved. Claire took great joy in being a grandmother. She adored spending time with her granddaughter Peyton. You could always find her teaching Peyton about cooking, the outdoors, and showing Peyton as many books as she could. Claire was thrilled to hold her newborn granddaughter Lauren, who was born in February this year. She is remembered for making individuals feel special. Claire was a very important person in the lives of her niece and nephews. Her kindness and big picture thinking were a profound influence on their lives. They remember how she treated them as “real people” when they were just kids. We will always remember Claire for her infectious laughter, inquisitive nature, adventurous spirit, creative storytelling, interest in others and generous heart.
Predeceased by Stewart and Winifred (Timmie), Claire is survived by her daughter Chantae Lock, (Derick), granddaughters Peyton and Lauren, sister Anne Cudmore, (Ron), nephew Kris Cudmore, (Julia) Ceci and James, nephew Mark Cudmore, (Anna) Alexander, her sister Helen Machida, (Norm), nephew Rob Machida, (Alicia), Mark, Annette, niece Heather Machida, (Cam) Maddie, Juby, Molly, brother Alan Dyckman, (Kathleen) nephew Liam (Veronica) Michael, Manny, Liam Jr., Eva, niece Bridgid, (Joe), Kvin, Ogden, niece Eileen, the countless friends and lives she touched along the way, and of course-the ice cream industry.
