Opal A Clarke

Opal Mae Atwood arrived into this world April 28, 1931, the oldest child of five children born to Alvin Eugene “Doc” and Elizabeth Mae Atwood. She was born in Hailey, Idaho, but raised in modest circumstances in the rural town of Leland, Utah, where neighbors were like family. She describes her parents as wonderful and hardworking. She and her siblings shared a close bond and were always there for each other over the years.

Her childhood memories include an old wood outhouse, a tin tub for bathing, a coal stove for heat, and warm homemade bread with cold raspberries – a favorite treat. She attended school in a two-room schoolhouse and later at Spanish Fork High school with a group of friends she never forgot. As children they played freely together, both day and night, which continued into their teenage years where they would all pile into an old Ford car that had a rumble seat and tear up and down the dirt roads or go to the high school basketball games. A favorite memory from her teenage years was dancing with her daddy whom she adored at her high school graduation dance. During these years she learned to play the piano and organ. This musical talent enriched her life with many special friends and opportunities over the years. As a student at Brigham Young University, she had the privilege of playing for the campus branch on the large pipe organ in the Joseph Smith Building and was asked to play the processional music at her graduation ceremony in the large field house, which she described as frightening but never to be forgotten. She continued to share her talent and love of playing the organ as the ward organist for most of her life.

She graduated from BYU in elementary education and minored in music. She tried teaching first grade for a year but decided that was not the right career for her. Circumstances brought her to Boise, Idaho where she took a job at the Idaho State Welfare Department, this decision set her on the course of becoming a professional Social worker where over the years she changed many people’s lives for the better. About this time she decided that Heavenly Father wanted her to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She was somewhat apprehensive of serving, afraid that she would end up an “old maid”, but a promise given by her Stake President of an “eternal companion being provided upon her return” set her mind at ease. She was called to the Argentine/Chilean mission. After a 20-day ocean cruise, a lonely 10-hour bus ride on dirt roads without knowing a word of Spanish, she met her Argentine companion, Nydia, who became a lifelong friend. After a year in Argentina, she was informed that she and her companion would be the very first sister missionaries sent to the country of Chile, a noteworthy and historical achievement documented in the History of the Church archives. A few months after she returned home, she was asked to help with the refreshments at one of those dreaded singles dances. This decision proved to be life changing as a young man, who later became her husband, came over and asked if he could help her with the refreshments and to dance. She said she was attracted to Ralph’s innocent looking smile, quiet way and devotion to the gospel. They married a few months later in September of 1960. Both were anxious to start a family and had Janine eleven months into their marriage, 13 months later David was born, and 18 months after that here came Keith. Three children, 3 and under! Not surprising, she described this time as challenging especially since it was before disposable diapers! When Keith was 4, John was born, and motherhood was much easier.

In her 40’s she obtained a master’s degree in social work from the University of Utah. The next twenty years she not only devoted her life to her family but enlarged that family to include many developmentally disabled adults. She was asked to be the Director of the Work Activity Center – a nonprofit organization that provided a day program for developmentally disabled adults. Through much perseverance she accomplished the building of a permanent new home for these disabled adults and those that served them. Through her leadership she grew the program from serving 100 individuals to over 200.

An active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, she not only served a full time mission as a single sister, but she and Ralph served as service missionaries in the Salt Lake City inner city mission. She served in the Relief Society, Primary, with the senior single adults and as always, the ward organist. A true disciple of Christ’s teachings, she lived her life with integrity and a love for all that she came to know. Her circle of influence was all encompassing, and everyone thought of her as their best friend. She spoke constantly of her love for her family and was especially proud of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. When asked why they were grateful for their grandmother some of the responses given were: She was your number one fan and always spoke highly of those around her, she supported your dreams like none other, she always found a way to make you feel special and uniquely important to her, generous, smart, witty, supportive, kind, strong willed and independent. She was the perfect grandma.

Opal passed away on February 25th, 2023, in Millcreek, Utah at the age of 91, surrounded by family and friends. She had a wonderful reunion with a host of family members who had gone on before including her spouse of 59 years, Ralph Farnes Clarke, who passed in 2019. She is survived by her four children and their spouses, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, sister, brother and sister-in-law and nieces and nephews who all loved and cherished her and will miss her terribly.

Funeral services will be held Monday, March 6th, at 11 AM at the Valley View Ward Building, 2125 E. Evergreen Ave. (3435 South), Millcreek, Utah. Viewings will be held Sunday, March 5th at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary, 3501 S. Highland Drive from 5:30-7:30 PM and Monday, 9:30-10:30 AM prior to the service.