Joan Marie Clark, 91, of Portsmouth, died Wednesday, February 19, 2025 at her home surrounded by her family. She was born August 30, 1933 in Sault Saint Marie, Michigan, to the late John and Pearl (Massey) Parker.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by three sisters, and her husband of 62 years, Richard A. Clark, who died on June 24, 2015.
Joan was a teacher, having taught at the Happy Hearts School in Portsmouth for several years, but also taught quilting, knitting, and cross stitch. She was a member of local Garden and Quilt Clubs, member of the Highland Elementary PTA when her children attended. She was active in her churches Franklin Ave Methodist and Portsmouth First Church of the Nazarene and in her retirement in Sault Ste Marie, Rosedale Community Church. Joan was fifty percent Native American and was very proud of her Sault Chippewa heritage.
She is survived by her four daughters, Anne Neal (Timothy) of Ypsilanti, MI, Susan Burke (John) of Portsmouth, Janet Clark (Andy Barber) of Portsmouth, and Patti Powell of Greenville, S.C, her son, Ed Clark of Lancaster, a sister, Doris Allerding of Hastings, MI, sisters-in-law, Mary McQuay (Dave) of Wheelersburg, Bonnie Clark (Dave), and Diane Clark of Portsmouth. She is also survived by her 13 grandchildren, Brooks Neal (Morgan), Emily Neal, Ryan Burke (Jonica), Megan Crisler (Andrew), Eric Burke (Ashley), Sean Burke (Erin), Stephanie Campsey, Jason Clark, Kerry Seifert (Matthew), Jeanie Lacy, Molly Rich (John) of Cincinnati, Mitchell Powell, and Patrick Powell, 14 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at a later date and will be announced. Melcher Hammer Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Joan, to Main Street Portsmouth, to help maintain the beautiful flowers.
