March 18, 1942 – August 14, 2026
With grace and dignity, Clara Combs Moore, age 84 of Carbondale, Colorado, died August 14, 2026, at St. Joseph Hospital in Denver, surrounded by a circle of loving family.
Born March 18, 1942, in Denver, Clara was the third child of Harry Benjamin Combs (1913-2003) and Clara Mitchell Van Schaack (1914-2007). After attending Graland Country Day School and Kent school in Denver, she graduated from Westover School in Middlebury, Connecticut, before attending Connecticut College in New London, Connecticut.
She married the love of her life, Christopher Grant Moore on June 3, 1962, and moved between Melbourne, Australia, and Invercargill, New Zealand over the course of four years, before returning to Denver with two young sons in tow. There she finished her bachelor’s degree in economics at the University of Denver and earned a master’s degree in psychology. After the birth of her daughter, the family moved to Montrose, Colorado, in 1972.
Clara loved the view of the San Juan Mountains from Montrose. She was a visual artist, practicing photography, graphic design and painting, and returned to Arapahoe Community College for a degree in graphic design in 1991. She was a voracious reader and had a passion for engaging with people to have deep discussions on life, art and politics. She was also involved in the local mental health community, serving on the board of the Colorado Mental Health Center.
After the passing of her husband, she moved to Carbondale in 2011 to be closer to her children and extended family. Her Carbondale life was filled with painting at her home studio, art studies, family time and many deep friendships. She was sustained by a strong spiritual faith after the passing of both her husband Kit and son Cam, finding support with The Orchard Church in Carbondale.
Clara held court wherever she was — the center light for all who interacted with her. Her home was a welcoming beacon, everyone greeted with a genuine smile and a stash of her favorite cookies. Clara played a fierce and winning game of Cards Against Humanity, spoke with disarming candor and leaves us all with her wicked sense of humor.
She was predeceased by her husband, Kit Moore, and second son, Christopher Cameron (Cam) Moore. She is survived by her son, Sean Moore (Melissa); her daughter Ellie Moore (David Wrench); grandchildren Tucker, Cortland, Devin and Tanner Moore, Christopher, Katie and Ryan Wrench; elder brothers Terry and Tony Combs; countless friends from Montrose and Carbondale.
We wish to thank the supportive and caring staff at St. Joseph’s hospital, her home caregivers in Carbondale, (especially Dori), the kind staff at Sopris Lodge and Castle Peak Rehabilitation, all who were a part of “team Clara” in her final months.
A memorial gathering will be held in Carbondale at The Old Thompson Barn at River Valley Ranch on Saturday, Nov. 21, at 11am.
Clara would love that we remain curious, hold meaningful conversations and continue to discover, create and contribute in our daily lives.
In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing to the Art Base in Basalt. The Art Base fosters creative expression in the visual arts for all ages and abilities, through education, exhibitions and by providing opportunities to artists. theartbase.app.neoncrm.com/forms/donation-00