The Hadwen Family of Lancashire

FUNERAL HELD MONDAY FOR CLAIRE C. HACKING

MAESER-- Funeral services for Claire C. (Aunt Claire) Stringham Hacking, 78, who died Thursday, October 22 of a heart ailment, were conducted Monday at 1 p.m. in the Maeser Chapel under the direction of Bishop Elmer Lind of Maeser Second Ward.

Prayer at the home was offered by Bishop W. Harvey McKee of Maeser First Ward. Organ prelude and postlude was played by Eloise Merkley.

A male quartet composed of Frank Walker, J. LaMar Bird, Chellus Caldwell and H. M. Lundell sang "Oh My Father," accompanied by LuRae Caldwell. Invocation was offered by President B. O. Colton.

A children's chorus composed of grandchildren, Primary and Jr. Sunday School, conducted by Helen Hacking and accompanied by Mildred Mansfield sang "Tell Me the Story of Jesus."

First speaker was Sarah Bingham who spoke of Mrs. Hacking's past life and of her service to the community and the church.

A vocal duet, "If I Knew You and You Knew Me" followed, sung by Mary Lou Roberts and Carrie Katherine Calder accompanied by Marie Bird. Miss Calder and Miss Bird are granddaughters of Mrs. Hacking.

Second speaker was Willard E. Smith of Salt Lake City, who was a cousin of Mrs. Hacking and a life-long friend.

His address was followed by an organ solo "Whispering Hope" by Lucile Calder, a daughter of the deceased.

Concluding speaker was Harmon S. Sowards with closing remarks by Bishop Lind.

A double mixed quartet sang "Lead Me Gently Home Father" accompanied by Mrs. Caldwell. Singers were Mr. Walker, Mr. Bird, Mr. Caldwell, Mr. Lundell, Virginia Hacking, Louise Caldwell and Eva Hatch.

The benediction was pronounced by Bishop Lester Bingham. The grave was dedicated by W. E. Bodily. Interment was in the Maeser Fairview Cemetery under the direction of the Vernal Mortuary. Floral arrangements were by the American Legion Auxiliary.

Honorary pallbearers were members of the Maeser First and Second Ward Relief Society. Pallbearers were Mrs. Hacking's six sons, Rulon S., S. Don, J. Ferron, Grant, Junius P. and Leo E. Hacking.

Claire C. Stringham Hacking was born November 3, 1874 in Prattsville, Sevier County, a daughter of Philip and Caroline Ann Crouch Stringham.

She came to Ashley Valley in 1979 at the age of four years with her parents who came to get the motherless Clair Westover, infant son of her mother's sister. The family stayed in the Ashley Valley and made it their home.

Mrs. Hacking was active in civic, social and church affairs in this area. She was one of the first school teachers in the valley and for many years was a trustee of the Maeser School.

Primary Officer
She was a member of the Uintah Stake Primary Board, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints for 36 years, serving under 5 presidents, She was made president of the organization in 1924 and for 20 years served faithfully and well in this capacity.

During her early years in the Primary work there were no good roads nor fast means of travel. Visits to the wards often had to be made on horseback and even then the roads would sometimes be so muddy that the horse would mire in and have to be pulled out. Mrs. Hacking had a buckboard and a fine team, which took the stake officers up the Ashley Canyon to Dry Fork through the sand, and got them there on time. This was something the Model A. Ford could not do.

It was not many years however until the roads were improved when it was recognized that the automobile was here to stay. Then Mrs. Hacking was able to make the trip to Salt Lake for conference in 1929 in one day when it had previously taken 5 days by light horse and buggy.

During World War I, the Primary children under the supervision of Mrs. Hacking and her officers, made many knitted sweaters and cut hundreds of pounds of snips for pillows.

After the war she helped introduce many things of cultural and healthful value into the Primary program. The May Festival then became an outstanding celebration of the Primary giving all children of the stake a chance to participate.

The first pageant to be given in Vernal was presented in the Imperial Hall by the Primaries of the stake, while Mrs. Hacking was president. Sarah Bingham directed this.

In 1925 the Primary put on a miniature parade for the Uintah Stake Homecoming, each float depicting some historical event in the history of the Valley.

Trailbuilder work for the boys 9 to 12 was introduced during Mrs. Hacking's term of office and she incorporated many useful activities into the work.

In 1938 in the 50th anniversary of the Primary organization Mrs. Hacking supervised the building of a large dinosaur float, designed by Professor Earl Douglas, for the parade in Salt Lake City. The float was later purchased for $50 by H. M. Tidwell of the Indian Department to be left at Ft. Duchesne.

Mrs. Hacking also taught in the Sunday School for more than 50 years. She loved music and loved to work with children.

In 1953 she was a candidate for the "Utah Mother of the Year." At the time of her death she was a teacher in kindergarden class of Maeser Second Ward Sunday School and chorister of the Primary.

June 22, 1898, she was married to Joseph P. Hacking in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. He died December 31, 1944.

Survivors include her six sons and four daughters, Lucile Calder, Florence Williams, all of Vernal; Josephine Bird, Venice, California; Mary Helen Giles, Powell, Wyoming; 43 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren and the following brothers and sisters: B. H. Stringham, William Stringham, Ethelwynne S. Collett, Beatrice Stringham and Grace Colton, Salt Lake City; Susie Shaffer, Manti and Zina Reid, St. George, Utah.

In keeping with Aunt Claire's request many friends sent contributions to the Primary Children's Hospital in her memory in lieu of flowers.

Visitors from distant points at the time of her funeral were Mr. and Mrs. L. H. Ried of St. George, Utah; Susie Shaffer, Manti, Utah; Willard, Dick and Bill Smith, Mrs. Ray Taylor and son, Heber, an uncle, George Stringham, Ray Stringham and Grace Colton of Salt Lake City; Mrs. Joseph Giles and son, Floyd and Mrs. Rex Hickman of Provo; Mary Lou Green, Idaho; Mr. and Mrs. Paul Diehl, Mrs. Carrie Calder of Provo; Mr. and Mrs. Don Calder, Mesa, Arizona; Pfc Joseph Calder of Ft. Ord, California and Mr. and Mrs. Glen Calder of Ft. Duchesne.

Dinner was served to the family and friends in the Recreation Hall by the Maeser Relief Societies.