Louise McClary-Bennett Obituary (1930 - 2026)

Lillian Louise Paulick McClary Bennett passed away from this life March 16, 2026, in Tooele, Utah, incident to lingering stroke health issues. Louise was born April 11, 1930, in Tooele, Utah, to Nellie Maria Stewart Paulick and Joseph Michael Paulick. She was the first of five children. Her siblings all survive her. Barbara Marie Barlow, (Harold) Tooele, UT; Joseph Stewart Paulick, (Carol) Tooele, UT; Janice Ann Orr, (Gary) Oceanside, CA; Mary Madalyn Nash, (Calvin) Syracuse, UT. She was blessed with five children: raised both in Tooele, but primarily in Las Vegas, NV, where she resided for 65 years. Marcia Louise Buckalew (deceased); Jack McClary, Phoenix, AR; Shawn McClary, Hickory Creek, TX; Michael McClary, Las Vegas, NV; Kevin McClary, Gardendale, AL. She later was delighted to become a loving stepmother to Sam Bennett, Las Vegas, NV; Karl Bennett, Deming, NM; Edee Jolley, Las Vegas, NV. She has 19 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren. Louise was pre-deceased by her two husbands; Jack McClary & Ed Bennett, daughter Marcia and a grandchild, Austin McClary. Louise’s basic education was obtained in Tooele schools, where she graduated from high school in 1948. Later in life she completed an Associate Degree in Medical Administration at Southern Nevada University, Las Vegas in the early 1970s; though she never quit learning, as she was a voracious reader in many areas of interest. One of her most rewarding experiences was serving as a Docent for the Spring Valley Park, Las Vegas, NV, since the early 90s for about 20 plus years, learning and sharing much historical data. She stated in a short bio written in her young life, that her greatest desire was to be a mother and to travel, both of which she accomplished well. She was a wonderful devoted mother and a very devoted grandmother who is loved deeply. She never forgot to send birthday greetings to all those family members, and friends, and tried hard to stay in touch with all the adventures of their lives. Her saddest moments were when she had lost so much eyesight that she wasn’t able to see their pictures and address cards, and hear their voices. She had many opportunities to travel to many locations with many family members, appreciating the beauty of all of God’s creations, having visited all continents except Antarctica. As a young girl she was active in Girl Scouts, 4-H Club, School activities, and church- Primary & MIA, receiving all the appropriate awards for dutiful participation. Louise worked hard at all she set her mind to. After high school she worked as a waitress in many establishments, in a dry cleaners, performed secretarial work at the Tooele Ordinance Depot. After moving to Las Vegas, she worked in several different specialties of medical offices mostly as office manager, all the while running a home, raising her children, and serving in church callings. Later in life she became a member of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers, serving in many positions in her camps. When her camp was down to 4 members, she visited all the other camps in Las Vegas to successfully recruit members to maintain the numbers to be able to continue. They were a very active group serving annually in the community Historical Pioneer Re-enactments of the Las Vegas area. As stated, she had a book in her hand from the time she learned to read. She enjoyed participating in book clubs and usually two, one more academically focused, and the other for pure enjoyment gaining always useful information to use and share. Her counsel to others was that “if your children are reading don’t worry so much if it’s a comic book or what-ever, as they are developing reading skills, vocabulary knowledge and widening their horizons.” Louise enjoyed and refined many household skills; cooking, canning, baking, and sewing. She created beautiful clothing, then many amazing quilts to share with her family members, humanitarian purposes, and religious clothing to donate to the needs around the world. Always on the go, she was known in all her neighborhoods to walk daily, to keep her body fit and strong– truly till her next-to-last day on earth. She also did water aerobics for many years. The crowning glory of her life was her devotion to her testimony of the Savior, Jesus Christ and His restored church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served in every calling and organization at one time or another; Relief Society, MIA, Primary. Her most favorite of all was in the capacity of Primary teacher. How she loved to teach and sing with them the stories of Jesus Christ to bless their sweet, innocent lives. Her challenge of the loss of her eye sight and hearing in her later years was truly a severe affliction causing an interruption to her enjoyment of learning and service. This is what brought her back to the community of Tooele: the home of her youth, her siblings, and pioneer heritage, it also however, made it possible to meet new friends to love. We will all miss her for the many ways she touched our lives!!