Elizabeth Anne Clark

Elizabeth Anne Clark (1964-2026) passed away peacefully at home on July 1st, after a brief illness. Beth was born in Middletown CT, the first of three children to Herbert T and Sharon D Clark. She lived her younger life in Essex, CT, was a proud 1982 alum from Valley Regional High School, then graduated from Bates College in 1986. Throughout, she was an avid “3 sport athlete”, her favorite being the field in track and field- she threw the discus and shotput, javelin and even the occasional hammer throw. She continued her education earning an MBA from University of New Haven and worked for a while in the family business. However, the field of Psychology pulled her back, and she launched her second career as a Psychologist, earning her MA and PhD in Clinical Health Psychology from Yeshiva University. She began her career in the field of mental healthcare at University of New Haven, working at the student counseling center. Then she embarked upon one of her greatest honors to serve our nation’s veterans during her years as a Staff Psychologist at the VA CT Healthcare System (West Haven). She shifted into private practice and finished her career at Bayside Psychology in Yarmouth ME.

In 1993 she met her partner, Heather Howell, and together they spent 33 years creating a life of joy and humor, travel and adventures. They settled in New Haven CT and enjoyed their little house in the city. In 2017, Beth and Heather began building their dream home on family land in Midcoast Maine. Over the past near decade, this Maine getaway became such a haven. Whether kayaking in the summer or woodfires in the winter, every season was just right for a Maine getaway.

Beth had many loves, and if you were one of them, you feel the gift. She reveled in any chance to go boating, often on the CT River, but more recently with dear friends along the Maine coast. She was an avid collector of baseball cards- seriously, the real deal. She was nearly equal in her collection of baseball caps, every outfit needed just the correct lid to complete the look. She traveled extensively: just in 2026 she visited Andalucia Spain to learn about the olive oil industry; Northern CA to visit family and friends and to catch a Giants game; to Nantucket to see the springtime daffodils. She collected coins from countries all over the world, and if she knew you had an upcoming trip, she was not shy about asking you to bring back coins. She loved classic rock music and would belt out the tunes far off key. She was an equal fan of dogs and cats. Her favorite number was 8. She loved New England in the winter, and would snowmobile with glee around the Clark family farm in VT. She considered any striped rock to be good luck, and displayed glass jars of them around her home. Perhaps above all, she cherished her many nieces and nephews, who were the only ones (besides her mother) allowed to call her “Bethie”.

Beth had a thoughtful, quiet and insightful personality. She loved her people, listened far more than she spoke, and chose every word with intention. She was truly curious about what mattered to you, would remember details and follow-up. She was not one for casual or mindless small-talk, but rather genuine and authentic.

When she took up a hobby or an interest, she was all in with passion. Her baseball card collection is significant. Her assortment of baseball hats/”lids” is beyond counting. Her knowledge of UConn Women’s Basketball player stats was infinite. In recent years, she started an olive oil company as a way to share the taste and promote the health benefits of fresh delicious EVOO. If ever you doubted this idea, she would gift you a bottle while insisting how great it tasted and regaling the health benefits of taking a spoonful every morning (just like your grandma did).

Dr. Beth Clark was predeceased by her mother Sherry in 2024. She leaves behind her father Herb Clark (Essex, CT), sister Sarah Clark (Williamsburg, VA) and brother T Clark (Essex, CT), and their wonderful families, every single one of whom enriched her life in endless ways. She leaves behind her wife Heather, after 33 years of partnership. We all feel her loss immensely.

A Celebration of her Life Service will take place on Thursday, September 24, 2026 at 2:00pm at the Essex Yacht Club, 13 Novelty Lane in Essex.

Please bring a story or anecdote about Beth, your friendship, or other connection. Beth loved her collection of ballcaps. Please bring or wear a favorite cap and add a bit of your own energy to the celebration. Her collection will be there for all to admire.

A Memorial Reception will immediately follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, consider planting an abundance of daffodil bulbs in your own yard, as they were her favorite. Do not skimp! She was known to plant several dozen bulbs every fall.

If you are so inclined, consider donations of your time, energy or resources to:

JED Foundation https://jedfoundation.org/donate/

The Trevor Project https://www.thetrevorproject.org/

VRHS Trades award https://middlesexcountycf.org/ or via https://bit.ly/vrhs-trades-award-fund

Your own house of worship

Your own local Veterans Organization

The local mental health nonprofit serving your own community.