Shirley Ann (Mehok) Clark

Our dear mother, Shirley Ann Clark, 90, passed away on March 13. She was born December 31, 1933, in Akron to Peter and Rose Mehok and had been an area resident for all her life.

Shirley had the rare gift of seeing the good in people and having them see it in themselves through her eyes. She loved life and celebrated it with polkas, reading, baking, and long walks with loved ones. She had a gentle fierceness, holding herself and her children to the highest standards while forgiving failure. She gave her time and affection, and hundreds of knitted blankets and hats, to her many grandchildren.  She could sit in a field and find countless four-leaf clovers which she would give to others for good luck. She was an expert at paddleball and a surprise ukulele player. She laughed easily and always carried joy which she eagerly shared with others.

Shirley's unwavering faith guided her through many joyful and challenging times, including the deaths of her husband, daughter, and granddaughter. She was a daily Mass communicant, often enjoying breakfast after with a group of friends and then making sandwiches for the homeless. She worked in the rectory of Annunciation Church and befriended many priests and parishioners.  She and her husband Dave worked tirelessly to pass on their strong Catholic faith to their children.

Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, David; daughter, Kelly Freund; granddaughter, Cathryn Clark; sister Jean Esposito; and brother, Richard Mehok.  She is survived by her sisters, Rosemary Vance, Donna Tomich, and Deloris Witten; sons, David (Karen) Clark of Stow, Perry (Moira) Clark of Bath, Chris (Laura) Freeman-Clark of Tallmadge, Steve (Cathie) Clark of Tallmadge, Mike (Joan) Clark of Hudson, Paul (Shelly) Clark of Groveport, and Joe (Amie) Clark of Hudson; and daughters, Karen (Joe) Congeni of Bath, Kimberly (Chris) Foote of Carmel, Ind., and Patty (John) Roman of Hudson; grandchildren, Lisa (Eric) Kelley, Kristy (Joe) Sofio, David (Laura) Clark, Erin (Josh) Riegle, Joe Clark, Michael Clark, Maria (Nick) Marino, Anthony (Carol) Congeni, Brenna (Mike) Siedow, Serafina (Kerrigan) Cain, Francesca (Travis) Welch, Lucia (Jack) Bonfiglio, Dominic (Jenna) Congeni, Kelsie (Steve) Ilko, Brian (Maggie) Clark, Cory (Bo) Clark, Louie (April) Clark, Marie Clark, Nick Freeman-Clark, Natalie Freeman-Clark, Kera (Scott) McNelis, Ryan (Bianca) Foote, Evan Foote, Laura (Ryan) Murt, Marissa (Rod) Perez-Magnelli, Brianna (Justin) Williams, Christopher Foote, Dana (Joel) Bojorquez, Andy (Julia) Roman, Vincent Roman (engaged to Emily Rosenlieb), Alex Roman, Melissa Clark, Amanda (Brad) Nieukirk, Stephanie (Scott) Sowers, Steven (Katie) Clark, Alexis Freund, Garret (Silvia) Freund, Leanna Freund, Emily (Jamie Magagna) Clark, Sam (Katie) Clark, Molly Clark, Justine Clark, Jacob Clark, Zachary (Katie) Clark, Alex (Jason) Gmerek, Sydney Clark, Linus Clark, Isaac (Kristen) Clark, Matthew Clark; and 47 great-grandchildren (with 48, 49, and 50 on the way).

She absolutely loved her life at The Village of Saint Edward in Fairlawn. Our family cannot say enough good about the staff there for the wonderful care and joy they brought to her in her final years. They treated her with the utmost respect and dignity to the very end. For this, we are eternally grateful.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, March 17, at Donovan Funeral Home on the Tallmadge Circle, from 4:00-7:00 p.m.

A funeral Mass will be held on Monday, March 18 at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church

3450 Sycamore Drive

Stow, OH 44224.

Interment at St. Michael Cemetery, Mogadore.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Village of Saint Edward, Memory Care.

The Village of Saint Edward Foundation
3131 Smith Road, Akron OH 44333
Web: http://www.vsecommunities.org