Our loving mother, Mary Ashby Clark, passed away in the early hours of March 24, 1999, just seventeen days before her 93rd birthday. Her passing was incident to her advanced age.
She was born April 10, 1906, in Lake Shore, Utah, the youngest living child of Samuel Ashby and Emma Clayson Ashby. She outlived all of her seven brothers and two sisters. Her father and mother both died before she was 17 years old. She married Henry Clifford Clark in 1926, in the Salt Lake Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Henry died in 1981. She was also preceded in death by a daughter, Joanne Clark (Don) Fenner, and a grandson, Jimmy Fenner. Mary is now enjoying a wonderful, long awaited reunion with family and friends.Mary lived all of her married life in Benjamin, Utah, where she and Henry raised their six children. She is survived by her children, Carol (Dean) Francis, H. Clifford (Clara Lee) Clark, Jack B. (Nelva) Clark, James N. (Christina) Clark, and Paul E. (Emily) Clark. Her descendants number six children, 34 grandchildren, 57 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. With 13 grandchildren still to be married, Mary's close descendants are yet not countable.
Mary attended public schools and BYU where she became qualified to teach school, and she did so briefly before her marriage. Known for her compassionate service, she used her ample talents for good in her church and community throughout her life. Mary was friendly and a good conversationalist. She could be found at any time not far from a book. She passed on a love of learning to many of her descendants. Her anticipation of future learning in the life following mortality was a significant part of her character. She loved music, and emphasized it in her family life. Later in life, because of the sickness of her husband, she went back to school and became a Licensed Practical Nurse. Never afraid of work, she was known for her constant activity. None of her children will ever forget her cooking, especially her bread. She applied herself to sewing and became an accomplished seamstress.
With great respect and love her children invite you to celebrate her passing at Services held at the Benjamin Ward LDS chapel, in Benjamin, Utah, on Saturday, March 27, at 11 a.m. A viewing will be held at Walker Mortuary, on 2nd South and Main, in Spanish Fork, Utah, on Friday, March 26, between 6-8 p.m. A short viewing will be held one hour prior to the services in Benjamin.