"To be with Christ, which is far better" Philippians 1:23 Anne Clement, age 93 of Richland, Washington, went home Saturday, August 31, to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Now, she is rejoicing in heaven and can once again see her loved ones who have preceded her, most importantly her husband Tom. Anne was born in 1920 in Davenport, Iowa but lived most of her life in the same house in Richland, WA. Anne would want everyone to know that despite her many talents and accomplishments, her salvation was the most important event in her diverse and full life. She loved reading the Word of God and learning more about Jesus Christ as she trusted in Him. Even during the last days of her life, she asked members of the family to read to her from the Psalms and hymns and to pray with her.

In the late 1930's, Anne moved to Seattle, Washington where she attended the University of Washington and Good Samaritan Nursing School. She worked as an x-ray technician in Seattle for three years. In 1944, at a dude ranch near Ellensburg, she met Tom Clement, a young engineer from Pennsylvania who worked at Hanford in its beginning stages. When a friend of Anne's initiated a background search and could learn nothing about Tom because of the secrecy of the work at Hanford, he advised Anne, "Marry him at your own risk." After only two months, Anne and Tom married; they celebrated nearly 60 years of marriage before Tom passed away in 2002. Two years into their marriage, they moved into a house in Richland, which at that time was at the northern edge. Following Anne's wishes, her children helped her remain in that home until her departure Saturday night.

Anne demonstrated energy and abilities more than thought possible for one person. Early in their marriage, she and Tom operated a kennel, breeding and showing Scotch Collies. Anne's interests included the arts: decorating, music, fashion, and homemaking. For many years, she decorated for a variety of events and floats for annual parades in Richland, even winning first place in the Atomic Frontier Days Parade. At church, Anne played the organ and directed a 40-member boys' choir, including their performance of a piece she composed. She decorated business offices and directed fashion shows. In the homemaking arena, she enjoyed gardening and canning food, as well as sewing clothing, knitting, tatting, caning chairs, and reupholstering furniture. She enjoyed all these interests even while she and Tom raised five children.

Once her children all reached school age, Anne returned to school at CBC to complete her nurse's training. Her children remember her setting up a table in the quiet of the north Richland desert to study and complete her coursework while magpies pestered her. They also remember her dissecting cats in a camper trailer outside their home as part of her coursework in biology. Her medical knowledge was a rich source for her children and grandchildren. She was the internet to her family before there was the electronic version. As her children grew older, she became interested in flying, earned a pilot's license, and became certified in airline transport. During an airline strike affecting travel between the TriCities and Seattle, she started a commuter airline service with two planes and successfully ran the business from her living room in their Richland home before expanding to a double-wide trailer at the Richland Airport. Eventually, she sold the airline when it became more work than fun.

Together, Tom and Anne raised five children and helped raise eleven grandchildren, all of whom realize the influence of both Grampa Tom and Ahma. Anne and Tom believed in order and discipline to build their children's and grandchildren's characters but also always loved and encouraged them in their various pursuits. Children surviving them are Tom Clement, Jr. of Moses Lake, John Clement Sharon of Kennewick, Paul Clement Sandi of Bothell, Barbara Klassen Steve of Pocatello, Idaho, and Kathi Harty Mike of Richland, WA. A sixth child, Mary, passed away shortly after birth in 1956. Anne maintained a close relationship with all of her grandchildren: Desiree, Kelly, Ginny, Chris, Sarah, Andrew, Katie, Colleen, Josh, Mary, and Liz. She had eleven great-grandchildren, including twin girls expected in January of 2014. Anne often commented about what a blessing it was to have all her children and grandchildren healthy and responsible. Anne and the family members also recognize the special relationship with Darla Brannan, her caregiver who helped the family respect Anne's wishes to remain in her home until her passing.

As much as we all miss her presence in our lives, we know that she is now no longer in pain but is rejoicing with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. A verse a family member shared with her during the final days of her life speaks of her faith and of her desire to be with the Lord: "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints" Psalm 116:15. Saturday, September 28, there will be a graveside service at 11:30 at Sunset Memorial Garden in Richland. At 12:30, a memorial service celebrating her life will be held at First Baptist Church, 1107 Wright Avenue, Richland, WA.