Dr. Claudette Morton
January 21, 1940 – May 6, 2025
Dr. Claudette Morton passed away peacefully on May 6, 2025, in her Helena home, surrounded by memories, mountains, and the view she loved — just as she wished.
Born in Billings, Montana, on January 21, 1940, to Hugh Morton III and Timey Hopper, Claudette graduated from Billings Senior High School in 1958. She went on to earn both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Theatre and English from the University of Montana. In 1959, she married Larry Johnson of Missoula, and they welcomed their son, Eric Johnson, in 1962. After a few early years in Missoula, the young family moved to Glasgow, where Claudette began her lifelong mission to improve public education in Montana, working as an English and theater teacher.
Claudette moved to Helena in 1978 and took on a leadership role at the Montana Office of Public Instruction as the English Language Arts Specialist. In that position, she was instrumental in securing a grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to strengthen school-college collaboration and initiated efforts to align state curriculum standards. Following her divorce from Larry in 1983, Claudette poured her heart into public service and educational leadership.
In 1986, she married her high school sweetheart, George Miller, and expanded her family with his two sons, John and Lee. That same year, she became Executive Secretary of the Montana Board of Public Education. During this tenure, she led the design and implementation of Project Excellence: Designing Education for the Next Century — a pioneering effort that transformed Montana’s K-12 accreditation standards from inputs to student performance outcomes. The project, developed collaboratively with educators across the state, became a national model and a cornerstone of Montana’s education system.
Dr. Morton earned her Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Montana while continuing to shape policy at the highest levels. In 1990, she and George relocated to Dillon, where she joined Western Montana College as Associate Professor of Education and Director of the Montana Rural Education Center. There, she deepened her commitment to supporting small and rural schools, producing groundbreaking research on education equity and school finance. Her work on behalf of isolated schools made her a nationally respected voice in rural education circles. She was selected to serve on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) Planning Committee and chaired its Theatre Subcommittee, advocating for the role of the arts in education nationwide.
During this time, the couple also sponsored a student from China, Paul Wong, who became a beloved fourth son. Claudette and George later visited Paul and his wife in a Shanghai and toured the countryside.
Returning to Helena in 1996, Claudette became Executive Director of the Montana Small Schools Alliance. She spent the next 14 years as a fierce advocate for Montana’s smallest and most remote districts, regularly testifying before the Legislature on school funding, educational standards, and the need to protect rural communities from forced consolidation. She authored critical policy documents and teacher salary studies, ensuring that rural voices were heard in state policy decisions.
After retiring from the Alliance in 2010, she continued to lead through her writing. Her 2018 book, A Basic System of Free Quality Education: Montana Public Schools 1972–2012, provided a definitive account of how Montana’s constitutional promise of quality education shaped four decades of public-school reform.
Claudette remained active in public life, running as a Democratic candidate for Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction in 2008 on a platform of funding equity and educational quality. She also served as co-president of the League of Women Voters of Montana, where she championed civic engagement, voting rights, and transparent government. Whether in the classroom, the Capitol, or a community forum, Claudette believed that informed citizens could shape a better world — and she lived that belief every day.
George and Claudette traveled extensively throughout the United States and abroad, the Caribbean, Mexico, including cruising to Alaska and touring France, Spain, Italy, and Greece after retirement.
George and Claudette had purchased a historic 1895 Helena home, which George carefully renovated, preserving architectural details. A source of great pride, the home received United States Historical Trust status. The couple sold their beloved home in 2020 to move into a condo with living on one level. From her living room overlooking Helena, Claudette enjoyed the view of mountains in the distance, birds and squirrels at her feeders on the deck, her art collection, and visits from her many friends to discuss politics, education, and family.
Dr. Claudette Morton is survived by her son Eric Johnson and his wife Sandi Johnson of Helena; grandson Aiden Johnson and his wife Krista Ehlert of Spearfish, South Dakota; stepsons John and Lee Miller; and her cherished extended family, friends, and former students across the state. Her impact on public education, rural communities, and Montana’s civic life will be felt for generations.
A memorial celebration of her life will be held later this summer in Helena.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Montana Small Schools Alliance or the League of Women Voters of Montana, organizations that reflect Claudette’s lifelong commitments.
Service Schedule
Social Gathering
From 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Tuesday May 27, 2025
Social Center of Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Social Gathering
From 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Tuesday May 27, 2025
Social Center of Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
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Dick Trerise says
Claudette was a champion of public education. I knew and worked with her for decades. Good friend, brilliant mind, tireless, and always an advocate. God Bless and rest in peace!
Darrell Rud says
Claudette was not only a friend but a tireless advocate for public education! I so admired her tenacity and willingness to stand up for what truly is “best for children”!
Claudia Morley says
I only met Claudette a few times but through the years I observed and admired her good works promoting research based practices to promote equal educational opportunities, especially in small schools for all students. RIP!
Michele Nokleby says
My Auntie Claudette was someone I always admired and looked up to; she was smart as a whip, ambitious, and accomplished. She will be missed.