Clara Mae Counts, 87 passed April 29, 2024, at her home in Olympia, WA.
Clara was born on May 5, 1936, in Aberdeen, WA to Edward Francis and Josphine Ann
(Mellon) Barriault. Clara lived most of her life in Aberdeen. At a young age she started
work as a waitress at the Mint. At the age of 21 she became a mixologist and worked at
many of the clubs and bars on the Harbor. Clara married Hugh Michael Counts on
October 29, 1954. She later became a poker player, opening up several card rooms.
She became the best woman poker player for the Northwest. She dealt the World
Series of poker and later played in it. She retired as a head dealer at the Little Creek
Casino
She along with her partner were owners of Counts General Contracting from 1984 to
2005. Clara was a member of Aberdeen VFW Post 224, the Aberdeen Eagles and the 40 et 8.
Clara is survived by three daughters: Cyndy Counts Hayes, Diane Counts Johnson, and
Lori Kay Counts. She is survived also by one son Michael W Counts. She is also
survived by seven Grandchildren: and six Great Grandchildren. Clara was preceded in
death by a daughter Shelley Counts.
There will be a celebration of life in Aberdeen at the 40 et 8 Club, 2313 Simpson
Avenue, on Saturday, June 1, at 2:00 PM.
A message of condolence or of a memory can be sent to the family at www.fernhillfuneral.com
Arrangements are entrusted to Twibell’s Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen, WA. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Clara Counts, please visit our flower store.
Clara was born on May 5, 1936, in Aberdeen, WA to Edward Francis and Josphine Ann
(Mellon) Barriault. Clara lived most of her life in Aberdeen. At a young age she started
work as a waitress at the Mint. At the age of 21 she became a mixologist and worked at
many of the clubs and bars on the Harbor. Clara married Hugh Michael Counts on
October 29, 1954. She later became a poker player, opening up several card rooms.
She became the best woman poker player for the Northwest. She dealt the World
Series of poker and later played in it. She retired as a head dealer at the Little Creek
Casino
She along with her partner were owners of Counts General Contracting from 1984 to
2005. Clara was a member of Aberdeen VFW Post 224, the Aberdeen Eagles and the 40 et 8.
Clara is survived by three daughters: Cyndy Counts Hayes, Diane Counts Johnson, and
Lori Kay Counts. She is survived also by one son Michael W Counts. She is also
survived by seven Grandchildren: and six Great Grandchildren. Clara was preceded in
death by a daughter Shelley Counts.
There will be a celebration of life in Aberdeen at the 40 et 8 Club, 2313 Simpson
Avenue, on Saturday, June 1, at 2:00 PM.
A message of condolence or of a memory can be sent to the family at www.fernhillfuneral.com
Arrangements are entrusted to Twibell’s Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen, WA. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Clara Counts, please visit our flower store.
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