Memorial Held for Woman After Foreclosure Struggle

A memorial service in Carmichael for Claire Findley brought both tears and joy as family and friends remembered the life of a woman who faced great hardship and led a life of great faith.

In celebration of her life and spirit, Findley's family and friends met for a memorial service on Saturday at the Carmichael Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Claire passed away on Jan. 17 at the age 60, after a long and difficult , or otherwise known as ALS, an illness that required her to quit her job as a nurse in 2005 and put her under 24-hour care.

During her memorial, Claire was described by her son, Forrest Findley, as a person that loved, “she loved people, she loved animals, but most of all, she loved God.”

Several remarks throughout the service described Claire as a woman of great faith, who loved to be outside and had a compassion for animals. Active in her community, Claire was a member of the church’s bible study, the ALS Association and her children’s schools as they grew up.

Claire and her husband Luther started dating in 1989, and together became active in the church that Luther had attended as a child, baptized at the Carmichael Seventh-day Adventist Church in March 1990.

The Findleys had lost their Fair Oaks house to foreclosure in March 2011 because of Claire’s medical bills and because Luther, a 55-year-old contractor, hasn’t worked since the end of 2007.

“Claire was truly loved by God," said Marit Case, during the
service’s “Words of Encouragement.” "Claire died in her own house, her own bed, after Thanksgiving and Christmas, and after her birthday, when all of you could be with her,”

Their lender, Bank of America, agreed to evict Luther Findley after his wife’s death, The Sacramento Bee has reported.

Despite the hardship faced by the family, Claire continued to stay connected with members of the church and remained a woman of faith.

“Shortly before she died, Claire looked deep into my eyes and said, ‘I’ll see you in heaven,’” Luther Findley said during the service’s “Life Sketch” section.

It was evident from the service that Luther Findley has and will continue to receive support from the church.

The service’s program mentioned a message from the family, which gave thanks for the prayers, love and support of those who attended the service, with a special thank you to the school and church families who supported them.

The program also mentioned that for those who would like to make a contribution in Claire Findley’s honor can do so to the ALS association, www.alssac.org, or the Carmichael Seventh-day Adventist Student Tuition
Assistance fund.