Easterbelle Clark, 93

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Easterbelle Clark, 93, of Cottage Street, Great Barrington, died peacefully at home December 27, 2017, surrounded by her family. 

She was born, the youngest of nine children, on Easter Sunday morning, April 20, 1924, when the bells were ringing, in Boss, Dent County, Missouri, to Peter Preston and Ida Mae Daugherty Welch. As a teenager, she moved to St. Louis, where she met her future husband, Clifton E. Clark Sr., who was in basic training for the U.S. Navy at Jefferson Barracks. They were married July 6, 1942. Following Clif's honorable discharge in early 1946, they moved to his hometown of Tyringham, before settling down in Great Barrington to raise a large family. Clif predeceased Easterbelle in 1995.

An avid and ultra competitive card player, Easterbelle loved having family over for all night games of pitch. She was a first rate cook, loved to travel and visit with her grandchildren, listening to classic country music, and watching sports - particularly the St Louis Cardinals, the L.A. Lakers, and anything college basketball. While Clif was alive, he and Easterbelle enjoyed countless hours working in their amazing gardens. She cherished family vacations to Lake George and Hampton Beach.

Easterbelle is survived by her children, Lana Carol (Peter) Mullany of Latham, N.Y., Clifton E. (Nancy) and Dennis of Housatonic, Deborah (Timothy) Conner of Hinsdale, Pamela Barquinero of Bend, Ore., Paula Clark of Feeding Hills, Richard of Daytona, Fla., and Laura Clark of Austerlitz, N.Y. 

Easterbelle was predeceased by her beloved daughter-in-law Sharon Clark; her son-in-law Thomas Barquinero; and her granddaughter Samantha Clark. 

She leaves 17 grandchildren, Michael Mullany, Theresa (Bruce) Mullany-Smith, Matthew Mullany and Timothy Mullany, Kelly Stevens, Melani (Kelly Reilly) Clark, Holly (David) Konta and Clifton E. (Erika) Clark III, Brett (Roberta) and Kevin Clark, Heather Nataro and Jamie (Lindsay) Nataro, Thomas J Barquinero II, and Denis, Jackson, Harrison and Farrell Leon. She also leaves 19 great-grandchildren; sadly, she did not live to meet her 20th grandchild, who is due in January. 

Funeral notice: Funeral services for Easterbelle Clark will be held on Thursday, January 4, 2018, at 11 a.m. at the Kelly Funeral Home. There will be a Visiting Hour from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. Burial will follow in Elmwood Cemetery in Great Barrington.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to the Make a Wish Foundation or Elder Services in care of Kelly Funeral Home, 3 Main St., Lee, 01238.