Obituary of Valeria Agnes Clarke

CLARKE, Valerie Agnes - On August 30, 2012, Valeria Agnes Clarke, passed away at St. Joseph’s Hospice, in her 104th year. Born Mar. 9, 1909, in Sault Ste. Marie, MI to Helen (Ripley) and Henry Ranson. At age 22, Val married Roy Clarke, a widower of Sault Ste Marie, ON and became the “mother” of 5 boys and 1 girl (ages 5 – 13 years). Two more girls were born to Val and Roy. After 40 yrs. of marriage Roy passed away in 1971. Val is survived by daughters Dorie Hudak and Liz (Betty Lou) Clarke, sons Bruce (Sally) Clarke and Tom (Eloise) Clarke, daughters-in-law Mary Jane Clarke and Bunny Clarke, son-in-law Claire Christopher, and many grand, great-grand, and great-great grandchildren. Predeceased by sons, Douglas, Tait (late Ilene), Stuart Clarke, daughter Patricia Christopher, son-in-law Joseph Hudak and her only sibling, Lucy (late Carl) Rockman. Val was a woman of strong, unwavering faith and courage. She was a 71-year member of the Catholic Women’s League and attended St. Joseph’s Church well into her 102nd year. She graduated from Loretta Academy in 1926. Val was known as the “Baby Picture Lady”, working for Cradle Pictures in the 50’s. She had been a member of the Wyoming Gun Club and made the sharp-shooting team. She loved reading and belonged to various clubs (quilting, weaving, and photography). She drove until she was 93, driving a friend or two to church or several friends to various activities. She loved driving up to the Soo, MI until late into her 80’s to be with her sister with whom she was very close. She also volunteered as a driver for Meals on Wheels. Cremation has taken place. Mass of the Resurrection will be offered at St. Benedict’s Church on Saturday, September 8, at 10:00 a.m. Family will visit with friends and relatives after Mass in the Parish Hall where lunch will be served. Inurnment will be in Sault Ste. Marie, MI in the Ranson family plot at a later date. Sincere thanks to Colleen Bell, Red Cross (CCAC) ladies, Dr. Maddison and the staff and volunteers at St. Joseph’s Hospice for their excellent care of Val during the last months of her life. We will be forever grateful. As an expression of sympathy, friends who wish may send memorial donations to St. Joseph’s Hospice, 475 N. Christina Street, Sarnia, ON, N7T 5W3 or St. Joseph’s Church Roof Fund, c/o 1011 Oak Ave., Sarnia, ON, N7S 1J4 which would be greatly appreciated. Arrangements entrusted to McKenzie & Blundy Funeral Home & Cremation Centre Ltd. Messages of condolence and memories may be left at www.mckenzieblundy.com A tree will be planted in memory of Valeria Clarke in the McKenzie & Blundy Memorial Forest. Dedication service Sunday, September 16th, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at the Wawanosh Wetlands Conservation Area