Claudia Lynn Haglund, who devoted her life to family, friends and colleagues, died Thursday in the intensive care unit of Swedish First Hill in Seattle. She was 66.
Everyone who knew Claudia recognized her intellect, dry wit and, above all, unsurpassed generosity. Her passage leaves her loved ones with an eternal sorrow.
Claudia was born in Los Angeles, California, to Dick and Gloria Rowlett. The eldest of four children, she was a lifelong overachiever and always inclined to take on the greatest share of responsibility.
Claudia grew up in Thousand Oaks, California, and earned a bachelor's of science in biology from University of California, Irvine.
She moved from Long Beach, California, in 1979 to attend the University of Washington, where she earned a master's degree in hospital administration. She earned a Ph.D. from the UW in 1990.
Claudia went to work for Providence Health & Services in 1981 and retired 32 years later as vice president of governance and sponsorship.
She remained a pillar of support for her husband, Bill, during his work as a medical death investigator in King County and later as he led forensic missions in conflict zones around the world, including war-torn Bosnia, Rwanda and East Timor.
Claudia loved to travel, with trips throughout Europe and the Mediterranean, to Fiji and to South Africa. She loved quilting, gardening and reading, but most of all, her family.
She is survived by her husband, Bill; son, Noah; daughter, Kim; daughter-in-law, Olga Zolotova; sisters Dee Modin and Dona (Marc) Belson; brother, Richard "Rocky" Rowlett; and grandchildren Viktoria, Jake and Nick. She was preceded in death by her parents.
Claudia suffered from hemochromatosis, a disorder that causes the body to absorb too much iron. It destroyed her liver and left her in great pain during the past several months.
The family has arranged a private viewing and cremation with Cascade Memorial. A celebration of Claudia's life with family, friends and co-workers is planned for Saturday.
As much as Claudia loved gardening, her family requests donations in lieu of flowers to Sisters of Providence, Mother Joseph Province. Alternately, donations can be made to Providence Health & Services for the purpose of hemochromatosis or liver-disease research.
We miss you so much, Claudia. May your soul rest in eternal peace.
The family of Claudia Haglund has entrusted the care of their loved one to Cascade Memorial.