Lois Deidre Clarke
January 3, 1933 - November 26, 2013
Obituary
Lois Deirdre (Slater) Clarke Age 80 of Des Moines WA died peacefully at her home surrounded by family on 11/26/2013.
Lois was born in Ramsgate, Kent, England on January 3, 1933 to Robert and Ida Slater. She had 3 sisters, Shiela, Brenda and Marion and 4 brothers Robert Jr., Douglas, Donovan, and John, and many neices and nephews. Her family moved to Luton, England where as a young girl she participated in Girls Life Brigade and was featured in a performance skipping rope at the Royal Albert Hall.
After graduating from school, Lois worked at Boots Chemist in Luton where she met the love of her life Owen Clarke. They later married on March 29,1952 in Luton at the Luton Parish Church. Owen and Lois lived in Luton and started their family of daughters, Marilyn, Susan, Beverley and Nicola. In June of 1962 the family immigrated to America. They lived in Kenosha, Wisconsin where they built a family home and the family grew by 1 more daughter, Lesley, for a total of 5. Lois enjoyed bowling in a women’s league and playing pinochle with friends.
In June of 1967 the family moved to Des Moines, WA where once again Owen , Lois and the girls built another family home. This home overlooked Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains. Lois began her career in Seattle as a bailiff with King County Superior Court. A job she truly enjoyed, especially when she played the part of a bailiff in a 1981 Tom Selleck movie. She retired from King County in 1997.
She spent many weekends watching her daughters and grandchildren play soccer, and also assisted Owen when he was the President of the Seattle Sounders Booster Club in the 1970’s. She was very active with the Daughters of the British Empire (DBE), was the President of the local chapter, and made many lifelong friends.
As her daughters grew and married, she was overjoyed with the birth of each of her 4 grandchildren; Kevin , Kiara , Erika and John. She loved spending time with them on the beach, collecting shells, driftwood, and crabs and splashing in the water. And the holidays were always special, especially when she baked her infamous sausage rolls.
Lois loved to read, shop, cook Sunday dinner for the family, travel with friends, especially the senior citizens groups, but most of all she loved taking care of her family. She will forever be in our hearts, and will be deeply missed
Memorial service will be held Thursday, Dec 5th at 11:00 a.m. at Des Moines United Methodist Church, 22225 9th Ave S
Internment service will follow at 1:30 at Mountain View Cemetery, Auburn
Dear Owen and family,
Barbara and I extend our heartfelt condolences to the Clarke family over the passing of Lois.
She will be forever remembered in our thoughts.
Our prayers and best wishes to her entire family, especially to my very dear friend and mentor, Owen.
John
Auntie Lois will be very sadly missed, and will always have a place in my heart, as will all the memories of the special times we spent together, both here in England, and there in America.
She was loved by all of her family here in England, and I know how truly special she was to her sister Brenda, my Mother, and will never forget how Auntie Lois was there for her at the end of her life. Love San xx
I’m so sorry to hear about your loss. Lois was a lovely woman and will be missed but always remembered . My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Lovely Lady, sending my love and sympathy to Owen and family thoughts are with you all at this very sad time. Julie xx
Dear Clarke Family: Our families were intertwined with friendship, respect and love. We could not feel more sympathy for you; our heart are filled with sadness for the loss of “Mother”. However, we do believe our souls travel after life, to a greater place, and it is is filled with heavenly love and peace beyond human comprehension. We(I) cherish the time spent with your family; at Seattle Sounder games in the Seventies, Christmases, traveling to Canada, soccer games, family Sunday dinners and Shopping! God bless you all during this difficult time but rest assured your Mother (Grandma, Wife, Sister, Auntie) is now your guardian angel and will forever be protecting and watching over each and every one of you. With sincere love, The Haarhues’ (Big Bob, Shirley, Vicci and Bobby Henry) xoxoxo.
Beverley,
I send prayers and hugs to you and your family.
Stay strong and you will keep her memory alive.
Love
Trish
To the Wonderful Owen and Elliott Family!
I remember Grandma Lois to be a very warm, loving and caring person. I have been blessed to be great friends with Lois’s grandaughter Kiara for basically all my life; I know first hand the quality of great people this family has produced.
I love you all and will keep each any every one of you in my daily thoughts and prayers. May God bless you all and be with you always during this difficult time for mourning.
All my love,
Laura
So sorry to hear of Lois’s passing. I was her last court clerk in Superior Court. We became good friends and had lots of fun in “Drug Court”. There was some drama, but we were close. I know she was very proud of her children and Owen and we shared info on our families. I’m glad to hear she had grandchildren to enjoy.