Nancy A. Clarke

Her early years were spent in Detroit with siblings and family. Elementary education took place in Noble Elementary School. It was on Ilene Street in Detroit that she met her long-time friend, Lois. They enjoyed going to school and playing together. When Nancy was in fourth grade her family moved to Farmington, Michigan. She graduated from Farmington High School. She was involved in a variety of school activities including working in the school library, Girl’s Athletic Association (GAA) and advanced classes where she met Rodger and Ronald Clarke (twins).

Her scholarships took her to Central Michigan College (now CMU). For the next two years, she studied Elementary Education courses and worked in the college library. Nancy and Ron were long distance dating at this time, as Ron was going to Michigan State University. In September 1957, they were married at the Farmington Presbyterian Church and continued their education at MSU, graduating in 1959.

With Nancy’s degree in elementary education and Ron’s in mechanical engineering, they headed to San Diego, CA where jobs were waiting for them. It was a wonderful adventure to drive across the US in their 1955 red and white Chevy.

While they were in San Diego, their three children were born: Sharon Marie (1962), Steven Michael (1965) and Timothy John (1967). Nancy taught second grade and helped their church develop a Christian Education Building, student education classes and taught nursery programs.

They said goodbye to San Diego in 1969 and moved to Scottsdale to begin their Arizona adventure. In Scottsdale, Nancy developed the Tutor Mom’s group at Riley Elementary to help children in the lower grades with their reading skills. In 1974, Cave Creek called them and together they built their first home. Also, Nancy started teaching again at Cave Creek Elementary.

During the next 25 years, Ron and Nancy became involved with the community; teaching, Campfire Girls, Church School at the Desert Hills Presbyterian Church and raising three children.

When their children were grown and out of college, Nancy and Ron together designed and built their Carefree home. After working in the CCUSD as a teacher, principal and assistant superintendent of curriculum and federal programs, she was asked to work for Iowa State University in many school districts across the USA.

Nancy enjoyed watching her grandchildren grow up and get married. She tried to see them as often as possible. Grandchildren and great grandchildren were such wonderful gifts to her. Steve and Caryn Clarke’s children are Lauryn Marziale and Amy Stefkovich. Lauryn and her husband Lee have great grandchildren Rosalie, Lee Paul III (Tripp) and Domenico (Nico). Amy and her husband Jon have great grandchildren Henry and Theodore. Tim Clarke’s children are Evan and his wife Chelsea, Madison, Jacob and Kailey. Tim is now married to Heather. Sharon Clarke is a retired teacher.

Nancy loved to travel, meet new people, experience cultures and places. She treasured her adventures with her beloved niece Sue Holliday with whom she shared a special relationship in her last years. Ron and Nancy had an active and blessed life.