Beatrice Masini Clark

Beatrice Masini Clark, 88, widow of COL Donald E. Clark, passed away Sunday morning, August 19, 2018 in the company of family and a caring staff at Fort Belvoir Community Hospital, described by Bea in her last weeks as, "the best place to be."

Bea was the daughter of George and Josephine Stock Masini, and raised in Oyster Bay, New York. At Oyster Bay HS, she graduated valedictorian of her class (1947), and then earned a BA in Psychology from Hofstra College. While working in Nassau County, she went on a blind date with friends and met her tall, handsome soldier.

They fell in love and were married in December 1952. Shortly thereafter he was deployed to Korea. Upon his return to the states, Don reclaimed his bride and whisked her to various postings across the United States, Germany, and the Panama Canal Zone. The Clarks had three daughters, and taught them to look at each relocation as a new adventure with new places to explore. In 1967, Don was stationed at the Pentagon, and the couple purchased a home in North Springfield to put down some roots. There were more relocations until Don's retirement in 1977, but with each DC-area assignment, the family returned to the same house, and the same neighbors, in Springfield.

As an army officer's wife, Bea was a gracious and lively hostess. In Springfield, she played in bridge clubs, attended St. Michael Catholic Church, was active in the George Mason Republican Women's Club and Signal Officers' Wives Club, and was a long-time volunteer for Girl Scouts of the Nation's Capital, the Ft. Belvoir Thrift Shop, the North Springfield Citizens' Patrol, and North Springfield Civic Association, among others.

Bea had a special ability to make people feel right at home. She would light up a room, a wonderful mixture of sweet and sassy with a wicked sense of humor. Chatting with family and friends was a favorite pastime of Bea's, whether it be over coffee, wine, or a vodka on the rocks. She and Don were generous and caring individuals.

Bea leaves behind her three daughters and their families which will miss her terribly---

Eldest daughter-Jaye (David) Baesler; their daughter, Amanda (Nathan) Mitchell with children Isaac and Lauren Mitchell; their son, Christopher (Kat) Baesler with children Joey and Aaron Caldwell and Jaxon Christopher Baesler (born 8-19-18, 3 1/2 hrs before Bea died). All of Lexington, KY.

Middle daughter-Arden (Robert) Vaughan - Virginia Beach, VA; their son, Major Justin (Jordan) Vaughan (USMC) - Yucca Valley, CA; their daughter, Heather (Brendan) Kelly with children Parker and Savannah Kelly - Virginia Beach, VA; their son, Preston (Michelle) Vaughan with son Jack Vaughan - Virginia Beach, VA.

Youngest daughter-Hayley (Dwight) Saffer - Greensboro, NC; their daughter, Karley (Keela) Bastien - Wendell, NC; their son, Austin Saffer - who has been Bea's caregiver (read... chef, chauffeur, comedian, gardener, housekeeper, and personal assistant) for the last 20 months here in Springfield, hometown Greensboro, NC.

---and a host of extended Clark family relatives throughout the U.S.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the St. Michael School Scholarship Fund, 7401 St. Michael's Lane, Annandale, VA 22003 OR Fisher House Foundation, 12300 Twinbrook Pkwy, Suite 410 Rockville, MD 20852 (https://www.fisherhouse.org/site/assets/files/2905/fisherhousedonationform.pdf).