Claudia Kay Craig (Anderson) died peacefully and unexpectedly at home in the early hours of Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. She was 77.
Born in Longview to Helen and Arnold Anderson on July 9, 1948, Claudia spent nearly all her childhood in Centralia. She graduated from Centralia High School in 1966 and from Centralia College, where she was an accomplished debater, in 1968. She earned a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Washington in 1970 and later a master’s degree in forest resources management from the University of Washington College of Forestry. She married William Craig in July 1970. Together they raised two children.
Claudia had two careers. The first was forestry. In the 1970s, she held a supervisory position in the land planning department of Burlington Northern in Seattle. She also served for several years on the Washington State Forest Practices Appeals Board. In the 1980s, she returned to Lewis County. While raising her family, she renewed her former interest in education and taught for 20 years in the Chehalis School District.
Claudia was wise. Her reading spanned hundreds of books on a broad range of subjects. She was a woman of deep faith and a lifelong member of Immanuel Lutheran Church. She looked after her family. A cancer survivor, she lived every day with optimism and hope. A lover of nature, she watched the changing of the seasons, the splendor of the outdoors, and the cycle of life with great interest.
Claudia is survived by her husband, Bill; son, Peter; daughter, Maureen (Andrew); and grandsons, Noah, Abram and Jack. Since her passing, there has been a tremendous outpouring of sympathy and support. When the holidays are over and winter turns into March, a memorial service for Claudia will be announced. The family hopes that friends and relatives from far and near can then find time to join them in celebrating the life of this accomplished and remarkable woman.
