Mary Grace CHAMPAGNE

CLEMENS, Mary Grace (Champagne) (age 88) - passed away November 18, 2005 in Spokane. She was born November 7, 1917 in Kellogg, ID the daughter of John and Mary Etta Champagne. Mary Grace was a lifelong resident of Spokane. Mrs. Clemens was well known in musical circles as both a teacher and a soloist. She was a member of the Soroptimist club, and secretary of the Spokane County Music Educators. After attending Mary Cliff High School, class of 1935, she entered Gonzaga University as the only woman in her class. She graduated from Gonzaga University in 1941 with a degree in music. As a student there, she was named by the Gonzaga University faculty to Gamma Phi Epsilon, the national Jesuit women's honorary. Gamma Phi Epsilon is the highest scholastic honor the Society of Jesus can bestow on a woman. During the course of her undergraduate work, she studied under Albert Ruff, an internationally known voice coach who published several books on voice production. She completed graduate work at the Julliard School of Music in New York, where she was a student of Lucia Dunham and specialized in repertoire coaching. Upon returning to Spokane, she became music supervisor in the Mead School District for several years. She was also on the Faculty at North Idaho College where she taught voice, music theory and chorus. She maintained a voice studio in Spokane for many years and directed numerous choirs in the Spokane Diocese. During WWII she gave numerous Red Cross benefit concerts. She married Robert H. "Bob" Clemens in 1947 and together they have four children. In 1955 she was elected as president of the Spokane Chapter of Gonzaga University Alumni, the first woman to hold that position. Mrs. Clemens taught both piano and voice in her home for many years. Mrs. Clemens is preceded in death by her loving husband of 56 years Robert "Bob" H. Clemens, mother Mary Etta Champagne, brother, John J. "Jack" Champagne, and grandson Matthew Robert McMillan. She is survived by her children Kitty McMillan of Seattle, John (Virginia) Clemens, Tom (Cheryl) Clemens and Molly (Michael) Brown all of Spokane; 10 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Visitation will begin Monday, November 21st from 12-5pm at the funeral home. Vigil services will be Tuesday, November 22, 2005 at 5pm at the funeral home. Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, November 23, 2005 at 10am and will be celebrated at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, 330 E. Boone, Spokane. Interment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery, 7200 N. Wall St., Spokane. Memorial contributions are suggested to Catholic Charities, P.O. Box 1453, Spokane, WA 99210 or Gonzaga University School of Music, 502 E. Boone, Spokane, WA 99207.