KENNEBUNK — Helen Evans Clark, 88, a resident of Webber Hill Road, died Thursday, March 12, 2015 at Bradford On The Commons in Kennebunk after a lengthy illness surrounded by her loving family.
She was born in Biddeford on April 28, 1926, a daughter of Ralph O. and Georgia (Smith) Evans.
She graduated from Kennebunk High School in 1944. She attended Simmons College in Boston and Deaconess New England School of Nursing, also in Boston.
In 1947 she married the love of her life, Dorrance Emmons Clark Sr., and together they raised 10 devoted children.
Helen was employed by Southern Maine Medical Center, formerly known as Webber Hospital, which is now Southern Maine Health Center, in Biddeford for 45 years.
After her retirement, she was a visiting nurse for several years. She volunteered for the Red Cross. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary for many years, a member of the D.A.R., and was a long-time member of Christ Church, where she served as an usher with her late husband. She was involved in the Women’s Fellowship Group and served on the cabinet for many years. Helen was also a member of the Madonna Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star of Kennebunk, the Senior Center in Lower Village, and was very involved with senior citizen activities in the community, as well as serving on the Senior Citizens Advisory Committee in Augusta for several years.
Helen enjoyed helping others and loved taking care of and spending time with her family.
She is preceded in death by: her husband, Dorrance E. Clark, who died in 1991; her parents; her two brothers, Donald Evans and Dorrance “Rugger” Evans; and her daughter, Carol Ann Collins, who died in 2011.
She is survived by: three sons, Dorrance E. “Peter” Clark Jr. and his wife Kathy, Thomas G. Clark and his wife Kelly, and William J. Clark and his wife Tammy, all of Kennebunk; six daughters, Susan Lamontagne and her husband Dennis of West Kennebunk, Jane E. Goodwin, Barbara C. Maling and her fiancé David Hicks of West Kennebunk, Rebekah C. Michaels and her husband Paul of Kennebunk, Sallyanna Evans Hirst of Arundel, and Mary A. Philbrick of Lyman; a son-in-law, Neil Collins of New York; 24 grandchildren, Heather, Laurel, Marc, Steven, Benjamin, Stephanie, Jeffrey, Patrick, Casey, Elizabeth, Kate, Clark, Erika, Anthony, Cory, Zachary, Derek, Kristen, Thomas, Allyson, Chelsea, Carl “C.J.,” Sarah, and John; 17 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Helen’s family would like to thank her caregivers at Bradford On The Commons for their kindness and compassion during her stay with them.
Visiting hours will be held from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. on Monday, March 16 at Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer St., Kennebunk.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 17 at the Christ Church, 6 Dane St., Kennebunk with Rev. Mark Arbisi officiating. Interment will be at Hope Cemetery in the spring.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Helen’s memory can be made to: Christ Church, P.O. Box 87, Kennebunk, ME 04043.
Arrangements are in care of Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer St., Kennebunk.
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