Barbara A. Clark, 90, of Newark, DE, passed away unexpectedly at her home March 15, 2014. Born in Philadelphia, PA on November 3, 1923, Barbara was the daughter of the late Marie Busch Allen. She was a graduate of Upper Darby High School and during her youth, enjoyed spending time at the Jersey Shore inContinue Reading
Barbara A. Clark, 90, of Newark, DE, passed away unexpectedly at her home March 15, 2014.
Born in Philadelphia, PA on November 3, 1923, Barbara was the daughter of the late Marie Busch Allen. She was a graduate of Upper Darby High School and during her youth, enjoyed spending time at the Jersey Shore in Ocean City, NJ at her grandparents beach house. She worked for a time at Your Home as a sales associate, volunteered at the Blood Bank of Delaware and was a member of Holy Angels Catholic Church. Barbara was an avid sports enthusiast and particularly rooted for the Philadelphia Phillies and the Villanova Wildcats. She travelled widely with her husband, visiting places such as Australia and New Zealand and spent a number of winters in Florida. Her hobbies included sketching, gardening, crossword puzzles and was a voracious reader. She loved listening to music, especially Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett. She will be remembered as a kind, supportive neighbor and a woman who loved her family, especially her grandchildren.
Surviving are her three daughters, all of Wilmington; Barbara Berrick (Howard), Eileen Clark (Frank) and Nancy Clark Roberts; and three grandchildren; Erin Mannis, Emily Mannis and Leah Berrick. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Fred.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Holy Angels Catholic Church, 82 Possum Park Road, Newark ,DE 19711 on Saturday, March 22nd at 10:30am. With a visitation at the church beginning at 9:30am. Burial will be private at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Greyhound Adoptions of Florida and mailed to R.T. Foard & Jones Funeral Home, 122 West Main St., Newark, DE 19711.
Howard Berrick
left a message on March 22, 2014:
Eulogy I’m grateful, and honored, to be the person to say a few words about Barbara Clark, who was, for those of you who may not know, my mother-in-law. There is a big difference in being nurtured by a mother, and acquiring one as a result of marriage. My own mother lives in Massachusetts, and I love her dearly, but I don’t see her very often. With Barbara, I found that I could be a ‘son’ and there was no baggage from my childhood (a perfect situation!). She was the mother of the woman I love, so I knew that time spent with her would be time well spent. If nothing else, it would help me better understand the woman that I married. Our relationship spanned nearly thirty years, an extraordinarily long time. And I felt we had a relationship of some depth. Almost from the start she was not “Mrs. Clark” or “Barbara”, but simply Mom to me. Looking back on it, our relationship was ideal. It did not have the baggage that I carried with my own mother. The same I think was true with her. We both got to enjoy the fruits of a nurturing mother-son relationship without any of its downsides. It was a win-win. I sensed she truly appreciated me, and I felt included in her life. Barbara (Mom) was always kind and loving to me. In fact, it would be hard to have asked for a much better mother-in-law. She remembered my birthday with cards, even when sometimes my own mother did not. (Well, my mom did have five of us.) I looked forward to Barbara (Mom’s) visits; it was enjoyable to sit and talk with her, catching up with what things were going in her life. If she were staying over-night, I knew I could look forward to commandeering the TV to watching sports (college basketball [this was her favorite time of the year], football or baseball) with another interested sports person. She was always able to discuss stats on teams; who was good and who needed to be traded. I suspected this came from her going to Villanova games with her husband. She always wanted to hear things about my life as well. She was very generous with her time and energy. She wanted to hear not only how our daughter Leah was doing, and always asked after Sarah and Megan, my daughters from a previous marriage, and how they (and my grand children) were doing in their lives. When talking to my daughters Megan and Sarah this past week about Barbara’s passing, they both told me that at a time when it was awkward for them to be ‘step daughters’, Barbara Clark warmly included them into her family, making them feel like “grandchildren” and not as a “step-children”. From my vantage point, she had truly included all of me in her life. Selfishly, I will miss our Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners, with mom telling me “not to cook the meat too long”. It was part of her “trademark” holiday cooking directions. We, the Berricks’, will miss sharing her homemade cinnamon crumb cake and freshly squeezed orange juice on Christmas mornings; I trust this will live on as one of the Berrick family traditions. My only real regret is, and will be, not having spent more time with her, and that I didn’t take the opportunity to let her know how much I appreciated her for what she meant to me. But I’d like to think she knew. I want to close with these thoughts. This woman, Barbara Clark… Aunt Barbara… Grammy …Mom … touched all our lives in different ways. She was a woman who lived a full life with integrity and virtue. And I believe each and every one of us is a better person for having known her.
Marilou
left a message on March 20, 2014:
I am sure you have many fond memories that will always be with you. Take care!
ed pankowskie
left a message on March 20, 2014:
Nancy.....sorry to see you Beloved mother passed on....my prayers are with you and your entire family......Be Strong !
Megan, Tim, Evan, Max, Jack, and Ellyse
left a message on March 19, 2014:
Dear Gram Clark, Thank you for welcoming Sarah and me, and subsequently our families, into your family. You provided a warmth and acceptance that was appreciated and heartfelt. My memories of you will always be happy, always a smile on your face and a wonderful, contagious laugh. Celebrating your life is effortless, because it deserves to be celebrated and revered for all of your successes, your children, your grandchildren. We feel lucky to have been a part of your life, and to have you a part of ours and our childrens'. May you have found a better place, your loved ones, and peace. Love, Megan, Tim, Evan, Max, Jack, and Ellyse
Jody Huber
left a message on March 19, 2014:
Although we never had a chance to meet Barbara, she certainly raised an amazing daughter, friend and judge in Nancy! We are so sorry for your loss, but so happy to help some greyhounds in her honor! Thinking of you all, Jody, Andy, Sophie, Oscar "goofball", Marge and Homer Huber
Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.
Sarah, John, Maddie & Hailey
left a message on March 18, 2014:
How rich our lives are that you were in them! We are so thankful we had the opportunity to have you in our lives to learn from, laugh with, and love. We hope you find all the peace you need and all the people who have been WAITING for you... what a fantastic 90 years! Thank you for sharing so many of them with us. We will all miss you, but you will always live on in our hearts. WIshing we could be there with the rest of the family to celebrate the beautiful woman we're all missing so much... please know we're sending our love to you all! xoxo, Sarah, John & the girls
Melinda Girardi
left a message on March 18, 2014:
I was so sorry to hear about your Mom. I will keep you all in My prayers.
Joel Glazier
left a message on March 18, 2014:
To the "Clark Girls", My sincere condolences . Your mother certainly did live a long full life with her family always there in close proximity. What nice memories you will always have. Joel
Nancy Clark Roberts
left a message on March 18, 2014:
Hey Mom, You know I believe you are with dad in heaven surrounded by Tootsie, Belle, Emily's Kitty and all our greyhounds. We like to think you and dad are awaiting March Madness hoping Villanova, #2 in the country, wins the whole NCAA tourament. So we will be routing for them along with you. Not many people get to live a long healthy life for 90 years. You did. We love you deeply and you will be with us in spirit until we see each other again. Nancy
Barbara Berrick
left a message on March 18, 2014:
Mom, we tried very hard to bring you into the current technological century but we did not succeed! It's ok though, we'll see you again when we all are united and won't need technology to communicate. Until then have a ball with dad and Belle and Gramma! We will miss you and it will be very hard for a very long time. Your eldest daughter, Barbara
Emily
left a message on March 18, 2014:
My Dearest Grammy, It's impossible to imagine that you're really gone. I hope you know how much you are loved, so many people thought the world of you. How could they not! Even as a small child, I recognized your soul's warmth and love. You have always been so special to me and I thank you for all the years you loved me unconditionally. I know it was you who flickered the lights the other night, letting us know you made it peacefully into heaven. Please tell Pa I love him. I'm so happy you two can finally be together again. I love you forever! Love Always, Emily
Eileen Clark
left a message on March 17, 2014:
Mom we will miss you so much. You were the matriarch for so many years. We admired your strong faith and the simple life you chose. Your family was very important to you and you always enjoyed our gatherings. May you be gathering now with Daddy in the spirit world and cheering on Villanova together as the March Madness begins. Miss and Love you forever, Your daughter Eileen.9riLy
left a message:
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.
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Howard Berrick
left a message on March 22, 2014:
Eulogy I’m grateful, and honored, to be the person to say a few words about Barbara Clark, who was, for those of you who may not know, my mother-in-law. There is a big difference in being nurtured by a mother, and acquiring one as a result of marriage. My own mother lives in Massachusetts, and I love her dearly, but I don’t see her very often. With Barbara, I found that I could be a ‘son’ and there was no baggage from my childhood (a perfect situation!). She was the mother of the woman I love, so I knew that time spent with her would be time well spent. If nothing else, it would help me better understand the woman that I married. Our relationship spanned nearly thirty years, an extraordinarily long time. And I felt we had a relationship of some depth. Almost from the start she was not “Mrs. Clark” or “Barbara”, but simply Mom to me. Looking back on it, our relationship was ideal. It did not have the baggage that I carried with my own mother. The same I think was true with her. We both got to enjoy the fruits of a nurturing mother-son relationship without any of its downsides. It was a win-win. I sensed she truly appreciated me, and I felt included in her life. Barbara (Mom) was always kind and loving to me. In fact, it would be hard to have asked for a much better mother-in-law. She remembered my birthday with cards, even when sometimes my own mother did not. (Well, my mom did have five of us.) I looked forward to Barbara (Mom’s) visits; it was enjoyable to sit and talk with her, catching up with what things were going in her life. If she were staying over-night, I knew I could look forward to commandeering the TV to watching sports (college basketball [this was her favorite time of the year], football or baseball) with another interested sports person. She was always able to discuss stats on teams; who was good and who needed to be traded. I suspected this came from her going to Villanova games with her husband. She always wanted to hear things about my life as well. She was very generous with her time and energy. She wanted to hear not only how our daughter Leah was doing, and always asked after Sarah and Megan, my daughters from a previous marriage, and how they (and my grand children) were doing in their lives. When talking to my daughters Megan and Sarah this past week about Barbara’s passing, they both told me that at a time when it was awkward for them to be ‘step daughters’, Barbara Clark warmly included them into her family, making them feel like “grandchildren” and not as a “step-children”. From my vantage point, she had truly included all of me in her life. Selfishly, I will miss our Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners, with mom telling me “not to cook the meat too long”. It was part of her “trademark” holiday cooking directions. We, the Berricks’, will miss sharing her homemade cinnamon crumb cake and freshly squeezed orange juice on Christmas mornings; I trust this will live on as one of the Berrick family traditions. My only real regret is, and will be, not having spent more time with her, and that I didn’t take the opportunity to let her know how much I appreciated her for what she meant to me. But I’d like to think she knew. I want to close with these thoughts. This woman, Barbara Clark… Aunt Barbara… Grammy …Mom … touched all our lives in different ways. She was a woman who lived a full life with integrity and virtue. And I believe each and every one of us is a better person for having known her.
Marilou
left a message on March 20, 2014:
I am sure you have many fond memories that will always be with you. Take care!
ed pankowskie
left a message on March 20, 2014:
Nancy.....sorry to see you Beloved mother passed on....my prayers are with you and your entire family......Be Strong !
Megan, Tim, Evan, Max, Jack, and Ellyse
left a message on March 19, 2014:
Dear Gram Clark, Thank you for welcoming Sarah and me, and subsequently our families, into your family. You provided a warmth and acceptance that was appreciated and heartfelt. My memories of you will always be happy, always a smile on your face and a wonderful, contagious laugh. Celebrating your life is effortless, because it deserves to be celebrated and revered for all of your successes, your children, your grandchildren. We feel lucky to have been a part of your life, and to have you a part of ours and our childrens'. May you have found a better place, your loved ones, and peace. Love, Megan, Tim, Evan, Max, Jack, and Ellyse
Jody Huber
left a message on March 19, 2014:
Although we never had a chance to meet Barbara, she certainly raised an amazing daughter, friend and judge in Nancy! We are so sorry for your loss, but so happy to help some greyhounds in her honor! Thinking of you all, Jody, Andy, Sophie, Oscar "goofball", Marge and Homer Huber
Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.
Sarah, John, Maddie & Hailey
left a message on March 18, 2014:
How rich our lives are that you were in them! We are so thankful we had the opportunity to have you in our lives to learn from, laugh with, and love. We hope you find all the peace you need and all the people who have been WAITING for you... what a fantastic 90 years! Thank you for sharing so many of them with us. We will all miss you, but you will always live on in our hearts. WIshing we could be there with the rest of the family to celebrate the beautiful woman we're all missing so much... please know we're sending our love to you all! xoxo, Sarah, John & the girls
Melinda Girardi
left a message on March 18, 2014:
I was so sorry to hear about your Mom. I will keep you all in My prayers.
Joel Glazier
left a message on March 18, 2014:
To the "Clark Girls", My sincere condolences . Your mother certainly did live a long full life with her family always there in close proximity. What nice memories you will always have. Joel
Nancy Clark Roberts
left a message on March 18, 2014:
Hey Mom, You know I believe you are with dad in heaven surrounded by Tootsie, Belle, Emily's Kitty and all our greyhounds. We like to think you and dad are awaiting March Madness hoping Villanova, #2 in the country, wins the whole NCAA tourament. So we will be routing for them along with you. Not many people get to live a long healthy life for 90 years. You did. We love you deeply and you will be with us in spirit until we see each other again. Nancy
Barbara Berrick
left a message on March 18, 2014:
Mom, we tried very hard to bring you into the current technological century but we did not succeed! It's ok though, we'll see you again when we all are united and won't need technology to communicate. Until then have a ball with dad and Belle and Gramma! We will miss you and it will be very hard for a very long time. Your eldest daughter, Barbara
Emily
left a message on March 18, 2014:
My Dearest Grammy, It's impossible to imagine that you're really gone. I hope you know how much you are loved, so many people thought the world of you. How could they not! Even as a small child, I recognized your soul's warmth and love. You have always been so special to me and I thank you for all the years you loved me unconditionally. I know it was you who flickered the lights the other night, letting us know you made it peacefully into heaven. Please tell Pa I love him. I'm so happy you two can finally be together again. I love you forever! Love Always, Emily
Eileen Clark
left a message on March 17, 2014:
Mom we will miss you so much. You were the matriarch for so many years. We admired your strong faith and the simple life you chose. Your family was very important to you and you always enjoyed our gatherings. May you be gathering now with Daddy in the spirit world and cheering on Villanova together as the March Madness begins. Miss and Love you forever, Your daughter Eileen.9riLy
left a message:
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.
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