Virginia Lee Clark

Ginny Clark, a resident of the Phoenix, Arizona area since the mid-1970’s, passed away Thursday, June 9, 2016, at her Ventana Lakes home at age 70. She was born July 13, 1945, in Milwaukee to the late J. LeRoy Clark and Harriet E. (Janda) Clark.

After graduation from Whitefish Bay High School in 1964, Ginny attended Monticello College and Culver-Stockton College, where she graduated with a teaching degree in Early Intervention.

For many years, Ginny served children with special needs. She taught in Quincy, Illinois and in Phoenix at Gompers Rehabilitation Center and Upward Foundation, and taught “Needs for Hearing Loss Passengers” classes to new American Airline’s employees.

Ginny’s passion for the hearing loss community shaped her life and interaction with others. From 1981 and until her death, she was the Arizona State Chapter Coordinator for the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA), formerly known as Self-Help for the Hard-of Hearing (SHHH). In 1997, Ginny co-chaired the SHHH National Convention. In 1985, she was appointed to the Arizona Council, now known as the Arizona Commission for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing (ACDHH). During the 1990’s, she served as ACDHH chair and again as commissioner from 2007 – 2015. She served on the Department of Health-License Board for Speech and Hearing for six years and the Arizona Board for Education for Sensory-Impaired Committee for 8 years. She facilitated the building of HLAA chapters in Yuma, Fountain Hills, Prescott, and Phoenix.

Recognitions included the 2008 ACDHH Merit Certificate Award for service to the Arizona hearing loss communities, the 2008 A T Still University Crystal Award for Arizona individuals with commitment to improving the lives of others, and the 2010 HLAA Nancy Wessner Outstanding State Coordinator Award. Michele Michaels, ACDHH Hard of Hearing Specialist, stated, “her work to support, advocate, mentor, educate and uplift HLAA chapters and hard of hearing individuals never ceased….Her friendship, support, leadership and passion will be missed.”

Ginny loved her family and was grateful to her mother, who tirelessly helped her develop good speech. She was a wonderful Aunt and excelled in friendship. She had a quick smile, easily laughed, was fun and funny, kind and caring and was an enthusiast with curiosity. Ginny enjoyed travel, kayaking, hiking, genealogy, Mother Nature and crafts.

Survivors include sister Betty (Bill) Clark Parsons, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, nephews Tom (Rosa) Parsons, Sturgeon Bay, Tom’s daughter Amelia Campbell, Minneapolis, Craig (Katie) Parsons, their children Reese and Rowan, Madison, WI, cousin Cindy (Bob) Clark Craig, Prescott, Arizona and cousin Dr. Bill (Sharon) Dishmaker, Kewaunee, WI.

The Inurnment Service will be at 11 AM, Friday, September 30th, at the Buchanan Funeral Home, followed by burial at the Riverside Cemetery and a luncheon in Kewaunee, Wisconsin. Ginny will rest on the family’s three-generation site between her beloved maternal grandparents and parents.

The Arizona Memorial Service will be held at 11 AM, Friday, October 7th, at Sunland Funeral Home, 15826 N. Del Webb Blvd, Sun City. Family will greet friends during the reception luncheon following the service. Online condolences available at www.sunlandmemorial.com as of September 23rd. The service room will be looped and have CART.

In lieu of flowers, and if inclined, the family suggests memorials to the Ginny Clark HLAA – AZ Fund at Arizona Community Foundation, 2201 E. Camelback Rd., 405b, Phoenix, AZ 85016 or online, at www.azfoundation.org/GinnyClark. The fund will help to sponsor the annual HLAA - AZ Walk4Hearing, which helps to educate and to raise awareness of the hearing loss community.