Mary Ann Clark

Mary Ann Clark, beloved wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, Nana and Great Nana, passed away peacefully at home in Jacksonville, Florida on April 18, 2026 after her courageous fight with Dementia. She was 82 years old.

Mary Ann was born in Miami, Florida on August 7, 1943, to Chester Howarth, U.S. Navy, Retired, an Administrator at Florida Community College at Jacksonville (FCCJ), and Louise Royall Howarth, a school teacher with Duval County for 24 years.

As a young girl, Mary Ann moved to Jacksonville with her family after World War II where she would spend the rest of her life. While in high school she volunteered as a “candy striper” (named for the red and white stripe uniform) at a local hospital where she assisted nurses and visited patients. During this time Mary Ann also worked as an elevator attendant in the 300,000 sq. ft. department store downtown, May-Cohens.

She graduated from DuPont High School in 1961 and attended Jacksonville University (JU), following in her mother’s footsteps to become a teacher. She would go on to join the sorority, Alpha Xi Delta and taught at Greenfield Elementary as a student teacher.

One day a JU classmate told her about his “good looking friend, a nice guy, a real nerd and that she would love him.” That led to a blind date with Belton Clark, someone she had never met during her three years at JU, who would soon become the love of her life. They married in July of 1968.

Mary Ann taught at Greenfield Elementary until their son, Brett was born. She decided she would set aside her teaching career to focus on motherhood. Two years and two days later, their daughter, Kristin, was born.

As the kids got older, she joined the Colony Cove Civic Association (CCCA) where she would go on to serve for 46 years, becoming one of the longest-serving board members in the history of the CCCA.  When she wasn’t working as an accountant for the family business, Clark Film Inc, you’d find her spending time with dear friends and traveling the globe with Belton, her sister, “Toots” (Susan) and her brother-in-law, Lenny.

Mary Ann’s greatest joy in life was her family and she loved being a Nana and Great Nana! She cherished the moments she could spend with her grandchildren: Kristin (Little Kris), Coleman, Katie, Emma, Josh, Hayden and her great-grandchildren, Clarke and Chip.

Mary Ann is survived by her loving family: her husband of 57 years, Belton Clark (the same number of years her parents, Chet and Louise, were married); her son, Brett Clark, and his wife Jamie, along with their children, Kristin (husband Sterling, and their sons, Clarke and Chip), Katie, and Josh; and her daughter, Kristin Gaudry, and her husband, Byron, along with their children, Coleman, Emma and Hayden.

Mary Ann is also survived by her brother, Don Howarth, and his daughters, Casandra (daughter, Amaya) and Jessica, (partner, Aaron and their children, Isaac and Elise). She is also survived by her sister, Susan “Toots” Howell, and her husband, Lenny, along with their children Matthew (wife, Rebecca and daughter, Emmy), and Justin (wife, Kim, and son, Hunter).

A Celebration of Life service will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Fort Caroline Christian Church. Family and friends are warmly invited to stay for a light reception immediately following the service.

Mary Ann will be deeply missed and forever remembered for her caring soul, contagious laugh (thanks Uncle Lenny) and never-ending love.

For family and friends who will be attending remotely, a livestream link is provided below for your convenience.

https://youtube.com/live/ew8KWOZlPIg