Jane Ronell Clark

Jane RoNell Parks Clark passed away peacefully on June 24, 2026, at the age of 87. She lived a life marked by faith, service, compassion, humor, determination, and unwavering devotion to her family, friends, patients, and community. Her legacy lives on through the countless lives she touched and the example she set for generations to follow. Jane was born on July 7, 1938, in Santa Ana, California, to Nellie Pearl Gant Parks and Lyle Alton Parks. She was the eldest daughter of four children: Lyle Parks (who preceded her in death), Jane, Rose Parks Garner, and Leon Parks. She grew up in Lemon Grove and Whittier, California, where she developed her lifelong love of animals, adventure, and the outdoors. After graduating from Whittier High School, Jane worked as a secretary to save for college. She attended Brigham Young University and earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1961. She began her nursing career at LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah. She dedicated more than forty years to caring for others through nursing. Early in her career, she worked alongside a young Dr. Russell M. Nelson as part of one of the pioneering open-heart surgery teams. She became known as an exceptional operating room nurse and first assistant, bringing skill, compassion, and reassurance to every patient she served. While living in Salt Lake City, Jane sang alto with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, traveling with the choir to the Orient and singing at the inauguration of President Richard Nixon. Jane met Donald Clark through her brother Leon, and their relationship began when she returned home from college. They were married and sealed in the Los Angeles California Temple, beginning a loving partnership that blessed their family for many years. The couple settled in Mira Mesa, California, where Jane worked at the Veterans Administration Hospital while Donald attended law school. Later, they made their home in Lucerne Valley, California, where they raised their four children: Rebekah Clark-Benavides (Christopher) - Sabrina, Coren, Sabastien, Durham, and Moyrah; Amy Clark; Brendan Clark (Carissa) - Calvin, Owen, Josephine, Isabella, Sasha, and Grant; Tess Clark-Stuebner (James). Jane found her greatest joy in her family. She delighted in her eleven grandchildren and rarely missed an opportunity to cheer them on at sporting events, musical performances, scouting ceremonies, graduations, and countless other milestones. Jane devoted her life to serving others. She was active in PTA, served as a Cub Scout Den Mother, Merit Badge Counselor, Committee Member, Eagle Scout Cooordinator, and longtime 4-H Community Leader. Together, Jane and Donald helped many young men achieve the rank of Eagle Scout. She supported countless Little League and soccer teams. Above all, Jane's life was centered on her faith in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Her testimony was reflected in the way she loved, served, and cared for others. She faithfully attended church throughout her life, even after long overnight hospital shifts. Jane also found great joy in farm life. On the Lucerne Valley farm, she raised thousands of chickens, milked cows, delivered calves, and cared for horses, sheep, cattle, dogs, cats, and many other animals. Jane leaves behind a legacy of faith, kindness, hard work, resilience, and joyful service. She will be remembered for her generous heart, quick wit, unwavering testimony, and the countless lives she blessed. As we remember Jane, we celebrate a life that was full, purposeful, and beautifully lived. We are grateful for her example, thankful for the love she shared so freely, and comforted by the knowledge that families are eternal.