Claudia Traynor

Claudia Francis Bailey Traynor was born January 24, 1919 in New Raymer, Colorado to Meariedth and Clara Bailey, the fifth of their eleven children. In the late 1920's the Bailey's moved to Englewood where her father opened Bailey's Barber Shop in the 3400 block in downtown Englewood.

A niece, Linda Freeman, from Pueblo West had this to say about her: "Aunt Claudia lived a long and productive life. She was a member of many wonderful organizations in and around Englewood. She and her husband, I.J. Traynor were "fixtures" in Englewood for such a long time. We will miss her and her enthusiasm and spunk. In an article my mother, Dorothy Eckwall, wrote in the family calendar dedicated to Claudia in 1995 she called Claudia "tenacious." I think that really describes her best. She did what she was determined to do and she did it thoroughly and completely. When she made cookies, she didn't just make a couple dozen, she made 20 dozen! When she joined an organization, she would rise in rank and become president just as soon as she possibly could. When she knew someone was in trouble she didn't just offer a kind word, she offered her home."

Claudia graduated from Englewood High School, and has attended every class reunion. In fact, she planned the 67th reunion and was it's hostess last year at age 85! After graduation she went to Beauty School in Englewood, and with her sister Dorothy opened their own shop at the back of their father's barber shop; the sign out front was changed to - Bailey's Barber and Beauty Salon. Claudia married I.J. Traynor in March of 1942, and kept the home fires burning during the years that he served in the Army with the 26th Squadron during World War II. Upon his return he began Traynor's Electric, and wired buildings for many of the Englewood/Littleton based businesses, many still in existence today. The Traynor's son Gary Traynor is carrying on the family business.

Among the clubs of which Claudia was a member are: Business and Professional Women of Englewood, Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, Homemaker's Guild; and with I.J. she attended the Elks and VFW functions and, even after I.J.'s death, she continued to attend the yearly reunions of his army buddies from the 26th Squadron. She was the first woman who taught little league softball in Englewood; she served as a Den Mother for the Boy Scouts and as a Troop Leader for the Girl Scouts.

An accomplished oil painter, she earned many blue ribbons for her paintings, for the ceramics she made and for the porcelain dolls that became her specialty as well as for her other handy-work. She knitted, crocheted, tatted, made quilts, did bobbin lace, as well as embroidery and counted cross-stitch. Hundreds of knitted booties and baby hats were made and given to Englewood Bible Church for the layettes that the church has distributed over many, many years.

Claudia was a world traveler and has ridden camels, elephants, hot-air balloons; has gone white water rafting, and was an accomplished skier - on both water and snow. Dancing was a passion of Claudia's and she took that talent even into roller-skating.

The last battle that she had thoroughly determined to win was extensive back surgery at age 86. Though she succumbed to complications, she was still a winner to all of the large family that loved her. Right before she went into surgery she smiled at the young nurse who was getting her ready to go into surgery, and said, "Do you know John 3:16?" When the nurse said she didn't, Claudia didn't hesitate. With that sparkle in her expressive blue eyes she repeated: "For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." Claudia tatted white crosses by the hundreds that she distributed to people she met all over the country. It is comforting for us to know that today she has met the One who suffered on the cross to extend eternal life to whosoever will. If that's not winning, we don't know what is!

Goodbye, Claudia. We love you.

Viewing Bullock Colonial Chapel Thurs. 10 am to 8 pm. Graveside service Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens Friday 1:00 p.m.. Memorial Service Englewood Bible Church Saturday 10:00 a.m..

*PLEASE NOTE - We will meet at Chapel Hill (main parking lot) at 12:45 p.m. on Friday for the graveside service.

(Directions to Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens): http://maps.google.com/maps?oi=map&q=6601+South+Colorado+Blvd,+Littleton,+CO+80121