Maureen Whitaker Clifton

The world became a dimmer place with the passing of Maureen Whitaker Clifton on June 22, 2024. A mother, wife, grandmother, sister and artist she led a full life expressing herself through the creative process.

Maureen was born May 3, 1947 in Tucson, Arizona and lived and traveled the world extensively during her 77 years, making Lewis Center, Ohio home for the last 24 years. Some of her favorite places to travel and live included California, Hawaii, Alaska, Scotland, among other places.

Maureen was a passionate artist who studied dance and theater; expressed herself in the visual arts through needlepoint, embroidery and loved building albums and mementos. She was a passionate writer with several published pieces including her life’s work, the six-volume series: Imagine Living Life Well with Perspective and Perseverance.

Maureen was a 1965 graduate from Romona High in Riverside, California. She was a talented musician in high school and a member of the marching and concert bands alike. Maureen kept up with many of her classmates over the years and had fond memories of the reunions that she attended.

As an avid member in the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA), Maureen or Dierdriana of the Misty Isles, as many knew her, was able to share her talents and knowledge in researching and living the life of pre-seventeenth century skills, arts, combat and culture. She thrived and shone at her brightest during these times, serving as the Queen of the Western Kingdom in 1984 and of course a Countess for life. Many also knew her as "Moms” or “Mums" as she was affectionately called.

Maureen is survived by her husband, Scott Clifton; son, Michael (Lorna) Olsen, Mountain Green, UT; son, Scott Olsen, Newalla, OK; grandchildren, Cassandra Olsen Barker, Shawnee, OK; Katherine Olsen Carreno, Leander, TX; Colin Olsen, Leander, TX; great-grandson, Emmett Barker, Shawnee, OK; sisters Dianne, Colleen and Janet; brother Brandt. She was preceded in death by her parents Cecil and Lorraine Whitaker.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the Nature Conservancy (www.nature.org) in Maureen’s name.