WAUNAKEE

Frances Helen Clark, age 104, longtime Maple Bluff resident, died on June 11, 2016 at Waunakee Manor. She was born on October 18, 1911 to Paul and Veronica (Skarba) Saba in Madison, and was educated in Catholic and public schools there.

She entered the University of Wisconsin Hospital health care service in 1927. On December 14, 1928 she married Steve Cole Clark and took up patient care support with him at what is now the Mendota Mental Health institution. Together with Steve, who died just short of his 98th birthday, Frances will be remembered by patients, employees and friends as a person of integrity, dedicated to social and economic justice for public service workers at all levels of government. Her personal touch reached out during 46 years of Wisconsin State employment, and 77 years as Steve’s wife and supporter in organizing and leading Mendota, State of Wisconsin, and international public sector unions.

Her only son, Steven Thomas Clark, Colonel, US Army, preceded her in death, as did her parents; her brothers, Andrew, Joseph and John; and her sister, Mary (Saba) Gosh.

Frances is survived by her daughter-in-law, Maureen P. (Fitzpatrick) Clark; granddaughters, Celia Marie (Clark) O’Leary, Kathleen Frances Clark, Christina Anne Clark; great-granddaughters, Megan Maureen O’Leary, Shannon Kathleen O’Leary and Genevieve Alston Bucher; and niece, Diana Saba.

There will be no visitation. Private family services will be held on Thursday, June 16, 2016 in the Resurrection Catholic Cemetery Chapel in Madison, followed by entombment next to Steve in the Chapel.

Frances Clark

October 18, 1911 - June 11, 2016

Share memories of Frances