Lillian Azildia Clough (LaMotte)

Lillian LaMotte Clough Lillian LaMotte Clough passed away on January 27, 2012, in Grayling. She was born to Frank and Eva LaMotte, logging camp cooks, in Garden, Michigan on December 27, 1908. The eldest of five sisters, she lived most of her life in Grayling. Lilly graduated from high school in Dexter, Michigan. She was gifted in mathematics, English and music. In her later years she painted now sought after landscapes and played the electric organ to applause from her friends and family. Lilly married Arthur George Clough of Wolverine on July 27, 1927, and had four children, Arthur, Jeanette, Barbara, and Kerrigan. She enjoyed the company of her sixteen grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren. Her greatest enjoyments were her art and music, her family and her "little house in Grayling". She was an accomplished cook, specializing in apple and berry pies and French meat pie. She was happiest berry picking in the forests or enjoying card games or conversation with friends and family. Lilly always said that laughter was the most important thing in life and that is what kept her young and alive and living to 103 years. Lillian was predeceased by her parents, her husband, her son Arthur Francis, two sisters Isabella (Bummy) and Margaret (Boots), and a granddaughter Ricky Nelson Kelly. She is survived by daughters Jeannette and Barbara, her son Kerrigan, and two sisters Marie (Pete) and Sammy, and two daughters-in-law Nancy (Kerrigan) and Shirley (Arthur). Her sons-in-law, Richard Nelson, Marty Kitchen, and Jim Verlinde also predeceased her. Her surviving grandchildren are Mark, Michael, and Greg Nelson, Rebecca Nelson Bond, Kirtland Kitchen, Michelle Clough Feldhauser, Kathy Clough Belcher, Cindy Clough Wiseman, Arthur E. Clough, Steve, Craig, Dan, and Kelly Verlinde, Karole Jean Rosen, and Nancy Clough Carr. Funeral services were provided with care by the Sorenson Lockwood Funeral Home and at the Roman Catholic Church of Grayling presided over with warmth and dignity by Father James Doherty on January 31, 2012. Interment will occur in the spring. The family wishes to thank the staff of the Grayling Nursing Home for their care, commitment, and the love shown toward Lilly in her last years. The family extends its appreciation to Terrie Lockwood of the Sorenson Lockwood Funeral Home for the high quality funeral preparations and presentation. And, the family is deeply appreciative to Father Doherty for his kind and thoughtful care for our mother and our family. We sincerely thank the ladies of the Catholic church for the refreshing luncheon served at the parish hall following the service. Donations are gladly accepted to perpetuate the Clough Scholarship Fund for graduating Grayling High School students. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Lillian Azildia Clough (LaMotte), please visit our flower store.