Ms. Janice G. Clarke

Janice G. Clarke, age 69, of Fall River, passed away Friday, January 29, 2021 at Charlton Memorial Hospital. Born in Fall River, a daughter of the late Howard W. and Ruth (Hutchins) Clarke, she had been a longtime resident of the city.

A graduate of B.M.C. Durfee High School, Class of 1969, she attended Barrington Bible College. She started her career doing auto bodywork at Majestic Honda and Auto Show Volvo. Her knowledge in the auto industry lead her to the insurance industry, working as an auto damage appraiser. She worked at Aetna Insurance and retired from Travelers Insurance in 2003.

Janice was a member of both the Touisette and Middlebrook Country Clubs. Quite the athlete, she bowled, played golf and softball. She was an outstanding softball player in the 1970’s and played as a catcher for a semi-professional league “The Providence Oilerettes.”

She is survived by one sister, Cheryl Clarke Furze and her son Peter Colin Furze and his companion Linda Murphy all of Fall River; one brother Robert Clarke and his wife Elaine of Dighton and their children Jillian Glaze (George), Robert H. Clarke, Jr. and Ashley Clarke as well as her close friends, the Beaudoin family.

In recent years, Jan was involved in working on the Alfred J. Lima Quequechan River Rail Trail. She took pride in keeping the area clean and educating folks on the care and feeding of the animals along the path. Ducks and geese would waddle out of the water when they heard her wheelchair, often bringing their babies to meet her.

There will be a gathering of her friends on the trail in the Spring and a bench will be dedicated in her memory. Contributions may be made to, Partners for a Healthier Community, P.O. Box 1228, Fall River, MA 02722. Please write ‘Jan Clarke’ in the memo line. Arrangements are in the care of Waring-Sullivan Home at Cherry Place, Fall River.