Constance W. Clark passed away at St. Clare Manor on Monday, July 20, 2009, following a lengthy illness. Visitation will be held at St. Alban's Chapel (LSU) on Saturday, Aug. 1, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and from 1 p.m. until a memorial Mass at St. Alban's at 2 p.m. Interment will be at St. Anna's Episcopal Church, New Orleans, on Saturday, Aug. 8. Connie was beloved by friends and family not only for her zest for life and hospitality but also for her lifelong devotion to the causes she held dear. A visionary in her field, Connie believed in improving the quality of life for the elderly in the communities she called home, as well as advocacy for policy and programming at the state and national levels. Her leadership helped develop programs for mature adults which are regarded as models throughout the country. Connie began her life's work in the late 1960s as the assistant commissioner for the Florida Commission on Aging, rising to serve as its chief in 1971. She then served as the principal investigator for the federal research program Agency on Aging Concept. Connie moved from Florida to New Orleans in 1975 as an associate professor of sociology and researcher for Newcomb College. Connie's gifts for innovation were quickly recognized by Catholic Charities of New Orleans and she served as the director of the Elderly Social Services Program and Housing for its Division of Elderly Services until 1986. Under her direction, Lambeth House was created to serve the long-term care needs for seniors and is now an icon of residential care in the New Orleans area. Her legacy continued from 1986 through 2005 as she created and shepherded the development of Our Lady of the Lake's Division of Elderly Services, a comprehensive array of services to meet the medical, social, emotional and housing needs of mature adults in the Baton Rouge area. A testament to her vision and tireless commitment, the programs which she started continue today and have served thousands of families through the years. In 2005, Connie's work and leadership were recognized nationally with the Meritorious Service Award presented by the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging. In addition to her career, Connie selflessly volunteered for many organizations, particularly those non-profit groups that addressed the needs of the elderly. An Episcopalian, Connie was equally passionate about the church and was an active parishioner throughout her life. Her network of friends reached across many miles and continued to grow larger with each year. Most recently, she was an active member of St. Anna's Episcopal Church in New Orleans and St. Alban's Chapel in Baton Rouge. Connie helped found two mission churches, St. Matthew's, in St. Petersburg, Fla., and St. Michael's and all Angels, in Cancun, Mexico. Connie held degrees from the University of South Florida in Tampa and Florida State University in Tallahassee. She also attended the University of Havana, Cuba. Connie is survived by her daughters, Constance Alison Walker, of Baton Rouge, and Adrienne Walker Hartsock, of New Orleans; her son, Derek Montgomery Walker, of Tallahassee; grandchildren, Robert and Andrew Hartsock and Cody and Madison Walker; and by her cousin, Evelyn Miller, of St. Petersburg. She was preceded in death by her husband, Wallace Sherman "Skip" Clark; her parents, George and Ethel Grimm; sister, Jean Grimm Kornick; and brother, Donald Grimm. The family wishes to thank friends and caregivers who have been especially helpful during Connie's illness, in particular, St. Clare Manor staff, CVT physicians and staff, Our Lady of the Lake physicians and staff, St. Joseph's Hospice staff, and Nursing Care Connections staff. The love and prayers have been a source of comfort and support throughout Connie's life. In keeping with Connie's joie de vivre, a celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, Aug. 8, at Cosimo's Bar following the interment. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Our Lady of the Lake Foundation, for Senior Services, 5000 Hennessy Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70808; St. Joseph Hospice, 8923 Bluebonnet Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70810; St. Alban's Chapel and Episcopal Center, P.O. Box 25183, Baton Rouge, LA 70894.
Partager l'avis de décès
v.1.9.6