Obituary of Donna Clark

Donna Louise (Smith) Clark was born in Windsor, Ontario on May 6, 1928. She was one of three children born to the late Melvin and Lenore (Morton) Smith. As with many of the children of the Great Depression, Donna's family moved between cities, landing her in the Detroit area, but she never relinquished her Canadian citizenship. Donna married the love of her life, John Clark, Sr., on January 10, 1961 at Grosse Pointe Farms, and from this union would come the birth of ten children. Together they raised their family in Michigan before retiring to Arizona, recently returning to Monroe. More than anything, Donna loved to nurture her family, a full-time calling. She loved listening to music and going dancing with her husband. She was a big sports fan, following the Pistons for years before settling on the Detroit Tigers and Arizona Diamondbacks. As her children grew older, Donna was able to enjoy some free time, such as her years with a Flat Rock bowling league. She planned and ran her family's road trip vacations throughout the eastern USA. Later in life, she and John traveled in their 30-foot RV. Donna loved to keep up with world events and always had an informed perspective. She loved to pun, play word games and crossword puzzles, and had a great sense of humor. She took great joy in her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, laughing along with their play. She was loved deeply and will be missed greatly. A devout Catholic, Donna was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church (Carleton, MI), where she sang in the choir for many years, and in later years Christ the King (Mesa, AZ) and St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Monroe. She actively served as a Eucharistic Minister, member of the Home-School Council, CYO, and chaperoned dozens of school events. Donna Louise (Smith) Clark, age 86, of Monroe passed away peacefully on Tuesday January 13, 2015 at her home surrounded by her loving family. She joins her beloved husband of 52 years, John Clark, and her infant son, Patrick, in eternal peace. In addition, her passing was preceded by her parents, a sister, Lenore, and brother, Morton. The family wishes to express their gratitude to the staff at Promedica Monroe Regional hospital and Mercy Memorial hospice for their superb care. Donna's memory will be cherished by her four daughters: Patricia (Rick) Brown of Monroe, Susan (Tony) Iverson of Carleton, Lenore (Jeff) Link of Petersburg, and Alice (Brett Fowles) Clark of Mesa, Arizona; and her five sons: Edward (Stephanie) Clark of Tempe, Arizona, John Clark of Maryland, Mark (Cindy) Clark of Maryland, Tom Clark of Arizona and Mike Clark of Monroe; twenty-three grandchildren, and 12 great grandchildren. Friends may gather from 2:00pm until 8:00pm on Thursday, January 15, 2015 at Merkle Funeral Service; 2442 North Monroe Street, Monroe, Michigan; (734) 384-5185. There will be a Rosary Service at 4:30pm, also at Merkle's with Deacon Mike Stewart leading. Donna will lie in state at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church on Friday, January 16, 2015 at 10:00am until the 11:00am "Mass Of the Resurrection" with Father James Smalarz officiating. Online guests may leave words of inspiration and comfort, share a photo, or send a floral arrangement by visiting www.merklefs.com and then selecting the Online Tributes page.