Elizabeth Jeanne Clarke
March 24, 1928 - December 14, 2006
Obituary
Wife, mother and best of friends. Betty Clarke passed during open heart surgery on December 14, 2006. Sorely missed, Betty effected the lives and hearts of so many who had the privilege of knowing her.
Born Elizabeth Jeanne Butt on March 22, 1928, Betty was the center of a large group of friends. Many of who she remained friends with for decades. Growing up in Los Angeles gave her many opportunities to enjoy the mountains and beaches. She loved sharing the beauty of the outdoors with friends and family.
In 1945 the love of her life, Norman W. Clarke, returned from Pearl Harbor to say, “Betty, this world is all messed up! Will you marry me?” Saying yes they started a life and family together. In their 60 years of marriage they gave life to four sons. She worked hard to give her family the best life possible. Working tirelessly as a housekeeper, nurse, cook, activities director, spiritual advisor and counselor for her family and employed outside the home as a baker for the Huntington Beach California school district, she was the embodiment of the term “Super Mom.”
Betty loved having her family and friends together. Cooking hearty meals for groups of thirty or more was a joy. Going for a Sunday drive, traveling, prayer meetings and camping were some of her favorite activities. Her favorite place was the California Redwoods and camped on the northern California coast as often as possible.
Betty is survived by her husband Norman, sons Norman Jr., Steven, Richard and John, ten grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Memorial service will be held January 13, 10:00 am at Saint Anthonys Catholic Church in Forest Grove, Oregon. Donations in her memory may be made to the American Heart Association.
Thanks so much for this memorial. I knew Betty when she was a teenager and she was the same loving person all her life. Norman is my cousin but I fear he would not remember me these days.
My love to all and, again, thanks for the opportunity to
leave this message.
Dorothy
I love and miss you so much grandma. You are the best. You made my dad into the best father ever.
Grandma, you will always be remembered for the kind and generous person you were. You are the kind of person I aspire to be. Always positive, always caring, always supportive. I will treasure every one of my memories of you and all the wonderful times we had as a family with you. Love you, Grandma!
My name is John Boettger. I am
the sun of Marie Clarke,
Norman’s sister. I never knew Betty was Elizabeth… 66 years
she was my aunt Betty. When they
moved to Oregon our ties parted.
I will also remember her laugh
and beautiful face. Having her
as a family member was one big
plus… One thing is certain,
this life flies, one thing is
certain, the rest are lies..
The flower that once has blown
forever dies… Goodbye Betty
Aunt Betty has always been in my life and I will miss her a lot. She was one of the most loving people, and always showed her faith in a loving way. When you were with her or just talking on the phone, her love and caring always came through. I am a much better person for having her as my Aunt.
Love
Cheryl
My grandma was an awesome lady.
This is why.
1. She raised four boys. And no matter what, those boys could do no wrong. Thats a mothers love. And she was chock full of that.
2. She was a devoted wife. For 60 years. When she and grandpa were together, you could see the lhe love they had for one another. It was a beautiful thing. In a world of divorce and love lost, they kept going, stronger than ever.
3. She used to take us grandkids for the weekend, and we would have a blast. Tea parties, walks in the garden, picking blueberries. The ceilings in thier house had little sparkles. They looked like diamonds, and we went on believing that, if not just because grandma liked hearing it. She thought it was cute.
4. Grandma was the only one I would go to church with. And I liked going. Only because it was with her.
5. She used to wake me up waaay too early in the morning. And then make us breakfast. She made eggs over easy, and toast. And no one could ever make eggs like she could.
6. When we would go camping, she would wake up super early and make us all pancakes. I dont even like pancakes. I would ask for seconds. Good stuff.
7. Grandma supported me in everything I did. Even though a lot of it went agaisnt her personal beliefs, she would smile and say “thats really great”
8. My grandma loved cows. Her kitchen was full of them. It made me like cows too. Now I have a bunch in my kitchen.
9.My grandmother was kind to everyone.
10. She was also a spitfire. She would put you in your place, if need be.
11. One time she asked me what I wanted when she passed away. I was really young, and flustered by the question. She laughed and said, “well, pick something” And I picked a little yellow bird statue that sat on her coffee table. I really liked it.
She gave it to me for my wedding present. When I opened it I was shocked, and super happy. She said “Id rather give it to you while Im still alive, so its a happy gift, and not a sad one” Thank you, grandma. It means more now than you could ever imagine.
12. She loved us all. For all of our faults and misgivings, through the hard times and the happy times, she was like a rock.
You could count on her to be there for you. If no one else, grandma would be there.
I know she is ok… Being the religious woman she was, Im sure she is up in the clouds somewhere, charming Saint Peter or making eggs for Jesus. I know Jesus would like grandmas eggs. Everyone did.
What Im saying, its hard to be sad for a life well lived. And grandma lived her life well, and taught us all a little something in the meantime. Cheers.
We love you, grandma.
Walk in the light…See you in the clearing at the end of the path.
I love you.
Mego