Our beloved wife, mother, and friend, Joan Martha Clark, 77, passed away five months after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer Tuesday, April 21, 2009, at the home ranch in Shandon.
Joan was born in Czechoslovakia in July 1931, to Eduard and Nina Brauner. At age 21, Joan and her family escaped to West Germany after the borders were sealed.
In 1955, while working for the U.S. Military in Mannheim, Germany, Joan met William P. Clark. Within a few months, they were married in Basel, Switzerland. They began their married life in Ventura County, and were blessed with five children: Monica, Pete, Nina, Colin and Paul.
Joan's compassion, graciousness and intelligence touched many lives, family and strangers alike. Her quiet competence was not only a benchmark for her family, but was also channeled into her passion for the arts.
She was a founding member and lifelong supporter of the San Luis Obispo Mozart Festival and the Cal Poly Performing Arts Center, in addition to being a patron of the Kennedy Center during her years in Washington, D.C.
A talented painter and pianist, Joan continued to develop her gifts, participating in her painting group and piano lessons until this year.
She contributed her time and vision to Amigos de los Niatos in San Miguel, Shandon High School Boosters, 4-H and FFA, St. Rose Catholic Elementary School and Old Mission School.
Her collaboration in the design and construction of Chapel Hill was particularly evident in the 14th Century Spanish ceiling, the focal point of the Chapel, which she spent many hours restoring.
Joan's passion for gardening was reflected in her beautiful rose garden where she spent many contemplative hours.
The home ranch in Shandon which began as a weekend getaway in 1965 became the family home in 1968.
She transformed the family's second home in Malahide, Ireland, into a welcoming retreat for family and friends. Countless precious memories were created at that home.
Most significantly, Joan's unwavering support and commitment to her family made her a pillar of strength and an exemplar of dignity, grace and selflessness.
She was the founding member of Spouses of Clarks, a support group for those marrying into the Clark family, and was unanimously voted Most Dedicated Spouse.
Joan is survived by her husband, Bill Clark; sister Helena Montfort, brother Paul Brauner; children Monica (Lee), Pete (Elena), Nina (Mark), Colin (Linda) and Paul (Gigi); grandchildren Colter, Ashley, Connor, Garrett, Clark, Robert, Maiya, Jane and Patty; and her loyal dog, Pancho.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Eduard and Nina Brauner.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 25, 2009, at Chapel Hill, McMillan Canyon Road in Shandon, celebrated by Father Wayne Dawson.
A celebration of Joan's life will follow at the Paso Robles Inn.
The interment at Shandon Cemetery will be private.
Published in the San Luis Obispo Tribune on 4/22/2009
Joan was born in Czechoslovakia in July 1931, to Eduard and Nina Brauner. At age 21, Joan and her family escaped to West Germany after the borders were sealed.
In 1955, while working for the U.S. Military in Mannheim, Germany, Joan met William P. Clark. Within a few months, they were married in Basel, Switzerland. They began their married life in Ventura County, and were blessed with five children: Monica, Pete, Nina, Colin and Paul.
Joan's compassion, graciousness and intelligence touched many lives, family and strangers alike. Her quiet competence was not only a benchmark for her family, but was also channeled into her passion for the arts.
She was a founding member and lifelong supporter of the San Luis Obispo Mozart Festival and the Cal Poly Performing Arts Center, in addition to being a patron of the Kennedy Center during her years in Washington, D.C.
A talented painter and pianist, Joan continued to develop her gifts, participating in her painting group and piano lessons until this year.
She contributed her time and vision to Amigos de los Niatos in San Miguel, Shandon High School Boosters, 4-H and FFA, St. Rose Catholic Elementary School and Old Mission School.
Her collaboration in the design and construction of Chapel Hill was particularly evident in the 14th Century Spanish ceiling, the focal point of the Chapel, which she spent many hours restoring.
Joan's passion for gardening was reflected in her beautiful rose garden where she spent many contemplative hours.
The home ranch in Shandon which began as a weekend getaway in 1965 became the family home in 1968.
She transformed the family's second home in Malahide, Ireland, into a welcoming retreat for family and friends. Countless precious memories were created at that home.
Most significantly, Joan's unwavering support and commitment to her family made her a pillar of strength and an exemplar of dignity, grace and selflessness.
She was the founding member of Spouses of Clarks, a support group for those marrying into the Clark family, and was unanimously voted Most Dedicated Spouse.
Joan is survived by her husband, Bill Clark; sister Helena Montfort, brother Paul Brauner; children Monica (Lee), Pete (Elena), Nina (Mark), Colin (Linda) and Paul (Gigi); grandchildren Colter, Ashley, Connor, Garrett, Clark, Robert, Maiya, Jane and Patty; and her loyal dog, Pancho.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Eduard and Nina Brauner.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 25, 2009, at Chapel Hill, McMillan Canyon Road in Shandon, celebrated by Father Wayne Dawson.
A celebration of Joan's life will follow at the Paso Robles Inn.
The interment at Shandon Cemetery will be private.
Published in the San Luis Obispo Tribune on 4/22/2009
Our beloved wife, mother, and friend, Joan Martha Clark, 77, passed away five months after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer Tuesday, April 21, 2009, at the home ranch in Shandon.
Joan was born in Czechoslovakia in July 1931, to Eduard and Nina Brauner. At age 21, Joan and her family escaped to West Germany after the borders were sealed.
In 1955, while working for the U.S. Military in Mannheim, Germany, Joan met William P. Clark. Within a few months, they were married in Basel, Switzerland. They began their married life in Ventura County, and were blessed with five children: Monica, Pete, Nina, Colin and Paul.
Joan's compassion, graciousness and intelligence touched many lives, family and strangers alike. Her quiet competence was not only a benchmark for her family, but was also channeled into her passion for the arts.
She was a founding member and lifelong supporter of the San Luis Obispo Mozart Festival and the Cal Poly Performing Arts Center, in addition to being a patron of the Kennedy Center during her years in Washington, D.C.
A talented painter and pianist, Joan continued to develop her gifts, participating in her painting group and piano lessons until this year.
She contributed her time and vision to Amigos de los Niatos in San Miguel, Shandon High School Boosters, 4-H and FFA, St. Rose Catholic Elementary School and Old Mission School.
Her collaboration in the design and construction of Chapel Hill was particularly evident in the 14th Century Spanish ceiling, the focal point of the Chapel, which she spent many hours restoring.
Joan's passion for gardening was reflected in her beautiful rose garden where she spent many contemplative hours.
The home ranch in Shandon which began as a weekend getaway in 1965 became the family home in 1968.
She transformed the family's second home in Malahide, Ireland, into a welcoming retreat for family and friends. Countless precious memories were created at that home.
Most significantly, Joan's unwavering support and commitment to her family made her a pillar of strength and an exemplar of dignity, grace and selflessness.
She was the founding member of Spouses of Clarks, a support group for those marrying into the Clark family, and was unanimously voted Most Dedicated Spouse.
Joan is survived by her husband, Bill Clark; sister Helena Montfort, brother Paul Brauner; children Monica (Lee), Pete (Elena), Nina (Mark), Colin (Linda) and Paul (Gigi); grandchildren Colter, Ashley, Connor, Garrett, Clark, Robert, Maiya, Jane and Patty; and her loyal dog, Pancho.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Eduard and Nina Brauner.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 25, 2009, at Chapel Hill, McMillan Canyon Road in Shandon, celebrated by Father Wayne Dawson.
A celebration of Joan's life will follow at the Paso Robles Inn.
The interment at Shandon Cemetery will be private.
Published in the San Luis Obispo Tribune on 4/22/2009
Joan was born in Czechoslovakia in July 1931, to Eduard and Nina Brauner. At age 21, Joan and her family escaped to West Germany after the borders were sealed.
In 1955, while working for the U.S. Military in Mannheim, Germany, Joan met William P. Clark. Within a few months, they were married in Basel, Switzerland. They began their married life in Ventura County, and were blessed with five children: Monica, Pete, Nina, Colin and Paul.
Joan's compassion, graciousness and intelligence touched many lives, family and strangers alike. Her quiet competence was not only a benchmark for her family, but was also channeled into her passion for the arts.
She was a founding member and lifelong supporter of the San Luis Obispo Mozart Festival and the Cal Poly Performing Arts Center, in addition to being a patron of the Kennedy Center during her years in Washington, D.C.
A talented painter and pianist, Joan continued to develop her gifts, participating in her painting group and piano lessons until this year.
She contributed her time and vision to Amigos de los Niatos in San Miguel, Shandon High School Boosters, 4-H and FFA, St. Rose Catholic Elementary School and Old Mission School.
Her collaboration in the design and construction of Chapel Hill was particularly evident in the 14th Century Spanish ceiling, the focal point of the Chapel, which she spent many hours restoring.
Joan's passion for gardening was reflected in her beautiful rose garden where she spent many contemplative hours.
The home ranch in Shandon which began as a weekend getaway in 1965 became the family home in 1968.
She transformed the family's second home in Malahide, Ireland, into a welcoming retreat for family and friends. Countless precious memories were created at that home.
Most significantly, Joan's unwavering support and commitment to her family made her a pillar of strength and an exemplar of dignity, grace and selflessness.
She was the founding member of Spouses of Clarks, a support group for those marrying into the Clark family, and was unanimously voted Most Dedicated Spouse.
Joan is survived by her husband, Bill Clark; sister Helena Montfort, brother Paul Brauner; children Monica (Lee), Pete (Elena), Nina (Mark), Colin (Linda) and Paul (Gigi); grandchildren Colter, Ashley, Connor, Garrett, Clark, Robert, Maiya, Jane and Patty; and her loyal dog, Pancho.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Eduard and Nina Brauner.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 25, 2009, at Chapel Hill, McMillan Canyon Road in Shandon, celebrated by Father Wayne Dawson.
A celebration of Joan's life will follow at the Paso Robles Inn.
The interment at Shandon Cemetery will be private.
Published in the San Luis Obispo Tribune on 4/22/2009
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
See more Clark or Szczygiel Brauner memorials in:
- Shandon Cemetery Clark or Szczygiel Brauner
- San Luis Obispo County Clark or Szczygiel Brauner
- California Clark or Szczygiel Brauner
- USA Clark or Szczygiel Brauner
- Find a Grave Clark or Szczygiel Brauner
Advertisement
