Marilyn Anne Clark

Marilyn was born in Kingston, Jamaica on May 19, 1943, to Patrick Vendryes, a Stanley tool sales agent, and Mary Vendryes a homemaker. She attended Immaculate Conception High School and began her career at the Bank of Nova Scotia (in Kingston).

She met her husband, John, in 1960 at a mutual friend’s house party when he asked her to dance (she said yes). They were engaged in Kingston in 1963 and nurtured a love that would overcome long distances over multiple countries as John joined the United States Air Force later that year. They were married in Kingston in 1965 at Holy Cross Catholic Church, and honeymooned at Hacton House (Montego Bay, Jamaica). John continued his military travels through 1969, spending all his free time (and Thai Baht) calling his beloved Marilyn long distance.

Their patience paid off in 1969 when they made Winter Park, Florida their home together. Marilyn moved bravely with the rhythm of military life, making sure every place felt like a home–from Prattville, Alabama (Maxwell AFB) where she gave birth to their first daughter, Dianne in 1970, to Landstuhl, Germany where she gave birth to Tracy in 1974.

The family returned to the U.S. in 1977 and lived in Panama City, Florida (Tyndall AFB). In 1985 the family then relocated to Niceville, Florida (Eglin AFB), where Marilyn worked in various roles from banking to jewelry sales to real estate. She succeeded at anything she put her mind to, whether it was sales contests or learning a new skill (of which she had many).

Marilyn was endlessly creative, enviably organized, meticulous with finances, and obsessed with pens and stationery. She also enjoyed singing, painting (oils and watercolors), ceramics, cake decorating, cross stitching, sewing (including “apple pants” ...if you know you know), and gardening. She took classes her whole life and was rarely intimidated by a new project, proving how natural a lot of things came to her. Her humor was wry and unexpected. A silly dance, “binoculars” (again if you know you know), or observations on the mundane all would set everyone laughing. Her catchphrases like “It’s your job…” “never mind,” and the affectionate “hey babe” or “hey hon” were music to the family’s ears and are deeply missed. She showed love by giving thoughtful gifts, saying I love you often, giving big hugs, and sharing quiet mornings at the kitchen table, coffee in hand, doing crosswords together.

She cherished her friends and family beyond what most could ever hope for, and made strangers feel special and welcome.

Marilyn is survived by her beloved husband, John Clark; her daughters, Dianne Clark (John Bray) and Tracy Clark (Santiago Saucedo); her granddaughter, Parker Saucedo; and her grandson, Kingston Saucedo. She is also survived by her sister, Jeanne Connolly (Pat Connolly), along with their children and grandchildren.

We will always miss her steady care, loving presence, perfect skin, and Thanksgiving gravy.

Love you.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations in her memory to Hope Gardens, Kingston, Jamaica. https://hrbg.org.jm/savehopegardens/