Claudette Blakemore, is a fraternal twin who was born in Los Angeles, California on January 17, 1941 and adopted by Dennis and Leana Felper when she was six says old. She passed away peacefully in Orange Park, Florida on April 25, 2022 at the age of 81 after a short, yet courageous battle with cancer. She was surrounded by loved ones who will continue to honor her legacy by living their lives to the fullest.

Claudette was raised American Baptist, then converted to The Church of Jesus Christ and Latter-Day Saints. She loved to sing as a first soprano in the church choir and loved her hymns, especially hymn We Give Thee But Thine Own.

Claudette has a Bachelor’s in education, attended Drake University briefly and graduated from the University of Redlands; and always proudly added that she was just a few credits shy from a Master’s. She was a teacher in California, as well as, New Zealand at Christ College, and thoroughly enjoyed working with students. The most difficult challenge in New Zealand was to explain the importance of dressing to stay warm during New Zealand winters to the Tahitian students. Swim suits were not adequate! She did come to a point in her career that she realized that ‘cakes do not talk back’, so she steps away from the class room to take over The Goodie Shop Bakery in Redlands, California to prepare delicious treats and decorate award-winning wedding cakes.

“Be yourself, don’t put on for anyone. Be friendly. Don’t cry over things you can't control”

Much like her basket weaves on her wedding cakes, she was constantly weaving memories into her families, friends and church members lives. She loved making exquisite and intricate ginger bread houses and holiday cookies that the receivers would often say were too pretty to eat. She was looking forward to this Christmas to make beautiful ginger bread houses for her friends in Florida and a Crystal Springs 4th grade classroom, with a swing set, tetter totters, tether ball, and more. For your everyday yet special cake she invented the infamous Dream Cake, still a legacy in Redlands, California. With her children, though she worked over 100 hours a week, she was always there to help her children when they needed their mom.

She leaves the following important yet simple advice:

• Be yourself, don’t put on for anyone.

• Be friendly.

• Don’t cry over things you don’t have control over.

Claudette leaves behind her loving family: Claudia Bertrand, Tiffany Shanley, David Blakemore, Tanya Blakemore, Tamarie Vaughn, Katarina Via, Jordyn Brock, Huntier Brock, Grady Shanley, Blake Shanley, Emma, Shanley, Joseph Shanley, Chris Shanley, Christopher Shanley, Elliot Shanley, Ryan Shanley, Elysse Shanley and Nina Rhoton. She was preceded in death by: her husband, Bruce Blakemore; her daughter, Tamara Blakemore; her parents, Dennis and Leana Felper; and her grandchildren, Teighlor Blakemore and Bradley Blakemore.