Christine Reed Clark Leroueil
July 31, 1952 - June 3, 2005
Obituary
Comme un oiseau, le soir, Christine est retournée à son nid.
CHRISTINE REED CLARK LEROUEIL
JULY 31, 1952 – JUNE 3, 2005
Our beloved Christine died after her valiant and courageous struggle against melanoma, the same disease that took the life of her father last October. She faced tremendous odds from the beginning, enduring difficult treatments, side effects and setbacks. Yet that’s not her complete story and certainly not the defining chapter. She was born in Richland, Washington on July 31, 1952 to Leslie and Patricia H. Clark. Ambitious from the beginning, Christine set off on what would be an adventure of the heart and mind. She attended Kelso High School where she graduated as the class Valedictorian. A Weyerhaeuser Merit scholarship winner, she graduated from Whitman College in Walla Walla, WA. Choosing teaching as her life’s vocation, she was a role model to her students and an inspiration to her fellow educators. She loved all things French, and introduced many a student to the joys of its language and culture. Christine will be greatly missed and will be treasured forever for her unwavering devotion to her family and her infinite love for teaching. While she was only limited to 52 years of life on this earth, her legacy will endure in the many lives she touched. She is survived by her cherished husband of thirty-one years, Pierre, whom she met at the Pax Christi conference in Strasbourg in 1973 while on her junior year abroad. The tall blonde managed to lure the dark-eyed Frenchman from his homeland to a life on the other side of the Atlantic. She is also survived by her daughter Pascale, son Marc, mother Patricia Clark, brother Douglas Clark, sister-in-law Dr. Shu-Ming Wang, and sisters Karen and Stephanie Clark. Preceding Christine in death were her son Pierre and father Leslie. The family would like to express its appreciation for the wonderful care our precious Christine received from the oncology/radiology staff at St. Francis Hospital including Drs. Senecal, Kasubhai, and Badiozamani. A special thanks and heartfelt gratitude to all of the Franciscan Hospice House nursing staff who helped us get her through her final difficult days. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made in her name to Franciscan Hospice House, 2901 Bridgeport Way West, University Place, WA 98466, 253-534-7000. Services will be held at Christ Lutheran Church, 2501 320th Southwest, in Federal Way at 11:00 am, Wednesday, June 8th, followed immediately by graveside services at Mountain View Cemetery in Auburn. Bonney-Watson of Federal Way is handling the arrangements, 253-839-7317. We encourage all who knew Christine to sign the online guest books at thenewstribune.com and bonneywatson.com
I miss her dearly! She has been such an ispiration in my life. She taught me so much not just French but also about life. I love her so much.
You will be truely missed! I’m glad that I was blessed with knowing you and your family. They are always in my thoughts and prayers.
Pierre and family – Our sincerest regards to your and your family on the passing of Christine. Our prayers are with you. Mom and I remember the good times and the sad times for you and your loved ones. We miss her laugh and her love. Love, Linda Poirier and Vy Rued-Poorman
Mrs. L was such a wonderful and caring teacher. I had the pleasure of working with her for the last 3 years. In these past few months, she was proud of all that she had accomplished in her lifetime. She knew that her children and students will go far in the world and will bring the lessons she taught with them wherever they go. Mrs. L will live in Federal Way Public Schools history forever.
I had Mrs. L for 3 years, but have known her for 4. she has taught me everything i know today-how to love, how to trust, how to care. she left us with a lot of great memories that i will never forget. i remember back in 8th grade i had her as an english teacher and during passing time J’aime and i stole one of her computer chairs and i pushed J’aime down the hall in it. everyone was laughing and moving out of the way to let J’aime by and then all of the sudden we here, “CAITLYN!!!! J’AIME!!! GET BACK HERE NOW!!!!!” and seriously we were laughing too hard to care what punishment we got. i remember Mrs. L writing up a referral for both of us, and she started laughing after writing what it was for. she didnt want to give it to us, she had to. i was so excited to start french the next year and have her for 4 more years. i like to think Mrs. L and i had a special bond. a love hate relationship. she loved to yell at me for talking or saying stupid stuff and being loud, but she laughed everytime. kyle and i even signed a contract with her that we would “hold down the classroom” just so we would get out of trouble for some stupid thing we did. i loved telling her my stories of the weekend and i loved hearing hers about france. when she left because she was sick, i kept saying to myself, “she’ll come back. shes strong. shes made it through everything.” Mrs. L was a very strong, caring person. she loved every single one of her students like they were her own sons or daughters. when i heard the news that friday morning, i completely denied it. but now i know shes in a better place with her son, and shes happy. even though i suck at french, those 3 years were beneficial, i made a lifelong friend. shes touched the lives of many students and i know ‘stay strong’ is what she’d say to us now.
May Peace be with you! God Bless You All.
Mrs. L was the best teacher a student could ever ask for. She was caring and understanding. To me, she was an inspiration and i will never forget her. Her life was full of pain and yet she brought so much joy to people’s lives. Even though i am sad at the loss of such a wonderful person, i am glad i got to have her in my life.
thank you,
jaymee
I only knew Christine for two years, as a teaching colleague at Decatur High School. However, in that short time she touched my life with her smile, her willingness to help others, and her passion for teaching and kids. I will miss you, Christine.
Mrs.L was a beautiful soul, and i am proud to say she has taught me for 4 years . she was a brave woman and she is a role model of mine. Mme L always showed compassion and love for her students and it shows. I am very sorry for the loss, and for those she had yet to come into contact with. -kendra
we are very sorry to hear about christines passing. we remember the good times and dinners our families had together. she will be missed.
Ive never known anyone more compassionate and loving as Mrs. L. I just cant accept her being gone. I feel like shes still here. I love her. God Bless her and may she always be in the memories of everyone shes touched.
I am so sorry for your loss of Christine. If you ever need to get away you are more than welcome to visit us in Mexico