CLARK, Ellen

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ 08/05/2014 Ellen Hylan Clark, 87, of Taylor and Estes Park, Colo., died in her sleep Friday, July 11, 2014, surrounded by loving family. She was born Aug. 7, 1927, in Boulder, Colo. Ellen married her dear love, William Arthur Clark, with whom she celebrated over 65 years of “delightful companionship,” traveled the country and the world, raised three children and three of her grandchildren and eventually retired with Bill to Estes Park, where she was active in St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church. She was especially blessed with eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren whose love for her are a testimony to her tireless and selfless love for her family. Ellen was an astoundingly generous woman who gave of herself unselfishly and was an embodiment of the virtue of grace. She loved to learn about the world, she read continuously, and she considered her foreign scientific travels with husband Bill to be the greatest of educations and life experiences she could have had. Ellen was also known to her family for her haiku poetry, her love of literature and the Colorado wildlife and her joy in travel, storytelling and entertaining. Her grandchildren know and love her for her steadfast constancy, creative flexibility, regal poise, fun birthday parties and soothing lullabies. Ellen attended Boulder High School where she was a valuable asset to the debate team. Later, after receiving her bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Colorado, Ellen went on to teach until she married Bill. “First mate” Ellen raised their children, kept their gardens blooming, edited Bill’s professional papers, entertained visiting foreign and domestic scientists, designed their energy-efficient home and kept Bill laughing all the way. They attributed their successful constancy to deep friendship, a sense of humor and (possibly) inertia. Mrs. William Arthur Clark (as she formally insisted by mail) was preceded in death by older sister, June, younger brother Bruce, numerous friends and her ever dear and loving husband Bill (Cornell Ph.D, Naval Ensign, microbiologist and hobbyist in Chinese cooking, watercolor and gardening). Ellen is survived by her children: Tim, Peter and Judy; sister Anne Riley (Paul); nieces/nephews Bruce Ainsworth, Mike Riley, Kit Cassingham, Chris Riley, Bruce Riley, Julie Wallace and Stephanie Recupero; grandchildren Amy, David, Roxie, Audrey, Amanda, Jared, Jeffrey and Angela; and great-grands Hagen, Dylan, Harley, Aiden, Gracey, Selena, Madelynne, Mackenna, Gabriel and Althea. Ellen’s memorial service was held Aug. 2, at the Main Street Chapel in Snowflake. Her remains will be committed to eternal rest alongside Bill in a separate committal service at St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church in Estes Park, Colo. As Ellen would have said, “You can take the girl out of the mountains, but you can’t take the mountains out of the girl.” “Grammy/Mom, we are happy to know you are returning Home in every sense of the word. Yet, we will miss you dearly.” For condolences or further information about services, contact Amy Nelson at (928) 536-3022.