Obituary for Claire E. Clarke
Claire Eunice Clarke was born on April 5, 1937, in Jack Lodge, Discovery Bay Jamaica West Indies to Beryl Clarke and Albert Jones. She received her final call home on Tuesday, March 16, 2021. She was the oldest sibling and the matriarch of her family. Three of her younger siblings preceded her in death, Guy Jones, Vera Jones, and Val Jones. She was fondly called Girlie by her brothers and sisters. She married Ransford Redelton Clarke in August of 1956. He preceded her in death in 2001. They had six children. Claire was called Queen by many but, to her children and grandchildren, she was just Mom and Grandma.
Claire dedicated her life to her children and grandchildren. She also loved gatherings with family and friends. Claire loved to love people. She always told them the truth even if it was not what they wanted to hear.
She wanted the best for her family and thought little of making the sacrifices of migrating to the United States to give them better educational and socioeconomic opportunities.
Her belief that an education is important motivated her to pursuit a higher education for herself. In her 50s she graduated with honors from the College of New Rochelle with her B.S. and master’s degree in social work. Her example strongly encouraged her children to finish high school and earn their college degree.
She was a God-inspired writer. She loved the LORD God and shared her faith with her notes, letters, and poems. She gave, love, joy, encouragement, strength, and hope to others. Her hands were rarely still.
She was a secretary at New York Life insurance Company in New York. She taught her secretarial skills of typing and writing shorthand to her children. Little did she know or care that the computer and Alexa would eventually make these skills obsolete.
Her strong faith in God made her a true survivor. She struggled with many illnesses throughout her life, but turned them into a source of strength and encouragement for others.
She loved to cook and eat Jamaican cuisine. Her family never lacked anything because she was an excellent money manager. She could make a dollar out of a penny. Her mantra was, wait for the sale, then buy as much as you can.
She was a longtime member of St Peter's Lutheran Church, Bronx, NY. It was a very special place for her. She enjoyed participating in several church ministries and was a prayer warrior, even after her health declined and she was unable to enjoy an active church life.
Giving to others and society was her way of showing gratitude to God. She regularly contributed to many charities. Her life was a living example of her favorite Bible verse, 'I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.' Philippians 4:13
She leaves a legacy of love, knowledge, and wisdom that is passed on to her children, family, and friends.
She leaves to cherish her memory: daughters: Claire L. Clarke, Erica Clarke, Derene Derricotte; sons: Dean Clarke, Mark Clarke, Wesley Clarke; brother Ridley Jones; sister Winsome Jones; aunt Pearlina Brown; sister-in-law Mazie Jones; daughters-in-law Paula Clarke and Laurita Clarke; sons-in-law Willie Derricotte and Kenneth Sanchez; grandchildren: Alfred Davis, Kashaun Clarke, Kimika Hudson, Katrina Derricotte, Andre Derricotte, Bri Clarke, Jazz Sanchez, Mark Clarke, Jordan Clarke, Mathias Clarke, Nathaniel Clarke; great-grandchildren: Emily Davis and Alekyanni Pérez-Marrero, Jasiah Pantlitz; along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Special thanks to Juana Pacheco. She was a God-sent dedicated caregiver who became a family member.
Claire was always thankful for the blessing of having all these in her life.
Claire dedicated her life to her children and grandchildren. She also loved gatherings with family and friends. Claire loved to love people. She always told them the truth even if it was not what they wanted to hear.
She wanted the best for her family and thought little of making the sacrifices of migrating to the United States to give them better educational and socioeconomic opportunities.
Her belief that an education is important motivated her to pursuit a higher education for herself. In her 50s she graduated with honors from the College of New Rochelle with her B.S. and master’s degree in social work. Her example strongly encouraged her children to finish high school and earn their college degree.
She was a God-inspired writer. She loved the LORD God and shared her faith with her notes, letters, and poems. She gave, love, joy, encouragement, strength, and hope to others. Her hands were rarely still.
She was a secretary at New York Life insurance Company in New York. She taught her secretarial skills of typing and writing shorthand to her children. Little did she know or care that the computer and Alexa would eventually make these skills obsolete.
Her strong faith in God made her a true survivor. She struggled with many illnesses throughout her life, but turned them into a source of strength and encouragement for others.
She loved to cook and eat Jamaican cuisine. Her family never lacked anything because she was an excellent money manager. She could make a dollar out of a penny. Her mantra was, wait for the sale, then buy as much as you can.
She was a longtime member of St Peter's Lutheran Church, Bronx, NY. It was a very special place for her. She enjoyed participating in several church ministries and was a prayer warrior, even after her health declined and she was unable to enjoy an active church life.
Giving to others and society was her way of showing gratitude to God. She regularly contributed to many charities. Her life was a living example of her favorite Bible verse, 'I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.' Philippians 4:13
She leaves a legacy of love, knowledge, and wisdom that is passed on to her children, family, and friends.
She leaves to cherish her memory: daughters: Claire L. Clarke, Erica Clarke, Derene Derricotte; sons: Dean Clarke, Mark Clarke, Wesley Clarke; brother Ridley Jones; sister Winsome Jones; aunt Pearlina Brown; sister-in-law Mazie Jones; daughters-in-law Paula Clarke and Laurita Clarke; sons-in-law Willie Derricotte and Kenneth Sanchez; grandchildren: Alfred Davis, Kashaun Clarke, Kimika Hudson, Katrina Derricotte, Andre Derricotte, Bri Clarke, Jazz Sanchez, Mark Clarke, Jordan Clarke, Mathias Clarke, Nathaniel Clarke; great-grandchildren: Emily Davis and Alekyanni Pérez-Marrero, Jasiah Pantlitz; along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Special thanks to Juana Pacheco. She was a God-sent dedicated caregiver who became a family member.
Claire was always thankful for the blessing of having all these in her life.