Mary (Ellerton) Clark , VRHS Class of 1949
Mary Ellerton Clark passed away on Friday, January 3, 2025 at the Pruitt Nursing Home, Conway, SC. Mary bravely battled dementia for several years toward the end of her life, and passed away from pneumonia. She is predeceased by her parents Guy Douglas Ellerton and Olive Irene (Davison) Ellerton, her only sibling Patricia Duffie, and her beloved husband of 71 years Donald Eston Clark. She is survived by her children Douglas Clark of Norwich, NY and Deborah Kiesel of Conway, SC, grandchildren Joseph and Matthew Kiesel, and numerous nieces and nephews. Mary Roberta Ellerton was born on September 10, 1931 (two months early) at Mary Fletcher Hospital in Burlington, VT. In 1941, the Ellerton family moved to Third St., Rensselaer, NY due to her father's change in job location, and in 1949 Mary graduated from high school there. In June 1951, she graduated from Vermont Junior College in Montpelier, VT earning an associate degree in liberal arts. While in college, Mary met her future husband, Donald Clark, on a blind date. They were married at the First Church in Albany, NY. on July 18, 1953 at 2:30 p.m. The Clarks were very practical and frugal people, and one of Mary's favorite stories to tell about dating Donald was she had to learn to drink coffee because he could not afford to buy her hot chocolate. Thus when married with children, Mary learned how to cook, can, sew, and knit, making much of the clothing for the household. Her creations rivaled that of any master craftsperson. She also gifted many knitted items to her extended family, neighbors, and the local hospital. Mary was an avid reader, particularly of historical romances. When the couple retired to Florida, she enjoyed organizing and running the small library in their community clubhouse. Mary worked in Sidney, NY twice in her career life. In the early years, she was a dental assistant for Dr. Fred Rothman. Twenty five years later, she took a part time job at the Sidney library, but her main career was being a devoted wife and mother. Eventually, the couple settled in Nineveh, NY to raise their family, retired to Dunedin, FL in the 1980's, then moved to Conway, SC in 2023 for the last chapter of their life. Their final resting place will be at the Evergreen Hill Cemetery in Unadilla, NY. Mary and Donald began their early days of married life in Unadilla, NY in an apartment over the garage behind a Clark family home. That home later became the Westcott-Madden Funeral Home, which is where the couple will have their celebration of life on Friday, July 18, 2025 at 2:30 p.m. Mary Clark had a very hopeful, generous, and sincere soul. She was structured and practical throughout her life. She liked being given a good pair of sewing sheers or a gift card to buy books. So please no flowers or tree planting in her memory, because to her these gifts are frivolous. Mary would be pleased if you contributed to your local library, donated a handmade item or volunteered your time to your favorite charity. Most of all be sure to spend a quiet afternoon with a cup of tea reading a good book in her memory.