Obituary

Mary L. Clark, obituary

Wed, 01/20/2016 - 3:15pm

APPLETON — Mary Louise Clark, 91, of Appleton, died peacefully on Jan. 12, 2016, at Sussman House in Rockport. Mary was born April 5, 1924, in Springfield, Mass., to Francis E. and Beatrice D. (Forgette) McMenamin.

She was the oldest daughter of eight children, with two older brothers and five younger siblings. During World War II, she worked in the Springfield Armory packing guns with notes of encouragement to the soldiers. After many years living in Springfield, she moved to Maine and until the age of 79, babysat children who also thought of her as a grandmother.

She was a member of Appleton Baptist Church and was looking forward to seeing the new church built. She will be sorely missed by her family, friends and church family.

Mary was predeceased by her husband, Chester Clark; her daughter, Ivy Ratliff; her brothers, Francis, William and Harold; her sisters, Gloria and Lillian; her son-in-law, Armand Roger Champagne; and her granddaughter, Robin Buchheit. She is survived by her daughters, Cathy Champagne of Chicopee, Mass., Mary Ann Swing and her husband, Donald, of San Antonio, Texas, Louise Taylor and her husband, Richard, of Springfield, Mass., Beatrice Park and her husband, John, of Hope, Linda Clark of Appleton and her son-in-law, Dave Ratliff of Chicago, Ill.; her siblings, Shirley Ferrara of Hampden, Mass., and Charley McMenamin of Springfield, Mass.; her grandchildren, Roger and Steven Champagne, Sean Clark, Robert Taylor, Laurie Grindle, Sarah Craig, Rebecca Wiggin, Carrie Medine and Tracy Wasilewski; 21 grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Feb. 6 at 1 p.m. at South Hope Community Church, to be officiated by the Rev. Colin McGie, with music by Steve Spearin.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the building fund of Appleton Baptist Church, 108 Searsmont Road, Appleton, ME 04862.

Arrangements are under the care of Riposta Funeral Home.