Barbara Claire McCullough

Barbara Claire McCullough, known as Claire, died peacefully on July 9, 2024, at the UNC Hospice Home after a valiant fight against cancer for the last two years.  Claire was born February 29,1952 to Robert and Barbara Midgley McCullough in San Bernardino, California.

Claire's early life was nomadic, as her father was in the USAF: California, Staten Island, N.Y., St. John's, Newfoundland, Kinross AFB, Michigan, Dover, Delaware and six cities in Maryland.

Claire is survived by her partner, Mark Andrew Parker. Claire was married to Carlton Hornung, PhD, MPH and to the late Douglas Cockrell. Claire is also survived by her brother, Ken McCullough and his wife Lynn, her sister, Georgie Stone and her husband, Wayne, and her brother, Jim McCullough and his wife, Georganne. She was preceded in death by her brother, John and his wife, Chirs. Claire is the much-loved Aunt of Orion, Galway, Brian, Tim, Robert, Kelly, Whitney, Grace and Mariah.

Claire received her BA, MA and PhD from the University of Maryland in Sociology.

After receiving her PhD, her first employment was with the University of South Carolina, where she taught Sociology courses and managed the department's computer services.  She also wrote or co-wrote several articles for journals and popular magazines such as Psychology Today.  After this, she moved to Williamsburg, VA, where she wrote a manual on dyslexia for the National Center for State Courts.  She was then hired by SAS Institute in Cary, NC where she headed their training programs on implementing and streaming statistical data and statistical analysis for many years.  She moved on to serve as Assistant Vice-President of Professional and Graduate Studies at Meredith College in Raleigh, NC.  She shifted gears again, becoming a real estate agent for Fonville Morrisey Agency in Cary.  During this time, she also became a certified yoga instructor.  She continued teaching yoga until her final months, including classes for cancer survivors and senior citizens.

Claire was always interested in wildlife, serving as President of the Wake Audubon Society.  Her interest in birds led her to a lifetime hobby of photography, producing stunning photographs of birds and wild horses.  Claire was a beautiful person.  She was intelligent, intuitive, and generous.

Many thanks to the staff of the UNC Hospice House in Pittsboro, NC for their loving care of Claire in her final days.  A Memorial Service will be held at the Kirk of Kildare Presbyterian Church, 200 High Meadow Drive Cary, NC 27511, on August 24, 2024, at 1 PM.  Contributions in her memory can be made to the Wake Audubon Society, PO Box 12452 Raleigh, NC 27605 or an organization of your choice.

Donaldson Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to serve the McCullough family.