Clark, Janet Hooker (Butler)

Janet Hooker Butler Clark, beloved wife of the late David Taylor Clark, succumbed to Alzheimer’s and died peacefully, at the age of 86 on September 27, 2021. Born on September 15, 1935 in Hartford, CT, Janet was the daughter of the late George Morris Butler and the late Pauline Harper Butler.

Janet was a direct descendant of Elder William Brewster, Minister on the Mayflower, and she was the 9th generation direct descendant of Reverend Thomas Hooker, who founded Hartford, CT. Janet was lovingly nicknamed ‘Hooky’ by many of her cousins.

Janet had an unusual childhood, which served to reinforce the importance of family and home for her. Janet was orphaned at the age of 13. She went with her Collie Bonnie to live with family friends in New Haven for a year, attending Prospect Country Day (now Hopkins School). Then at age 14 she moved to New Orleans, LA, living for 2 years with her eldest sister Carolyn and her family, attending Country Day. Subsequently at age 16 she moved to live for two years with her other sister Marguerite and family in Los Gatos, CA, finishing High

School at Los Gatos High School, before moving again to Maine to attend Colby College where she met her future husband David. Janet enjoyed being a member

of Alpha Delta Pi Sorority, majored in Psychology and graduated in 1957, marrying Dave later that Summer. After a year in Providence, RI, the Clarks lived in West

Hartford for 46 years before living sequentially in Farmington, Avon, and finally Bloomfield (at Duncaster). When the Clark’s 2 children became teenagers, Janet really enjoyed and was proud of working for Hartford Easter Seal Rehabilitation, and later as Director of Admissions at UCONN/JOHN Dempsey Hospital & Health Center in Farmington.

Janet always put the needs of others first. Among her

volunteer work was the American School for the Deaf, and Habitat for Humanity. She was a member of the The Mayflower Society, The Town & County Club, The Junior League of Hartford, Society of the Descendants of the Founders of Hartford, Universalist Unitarian Church of West Hartford, Avon Golf Club (briefly), and Daughters of the American Revolution. Janet will always be remembered for her wide spectrum of interests: love of art, environmental concerns, gardening, music, psychology, theater, and travel. Janet and David were fortunate to travel extensively throughout the world for many years, always coming back to their cottage and childhood friends at Old Kelsey Point in Westbrook. Janet’s husband David passed away 4 months earlier in May. She is survived by her daughter Lauren A. Hutton and son-in-law Peter M. Hutton of Ipswich, MA, two granddaughters Julia A. Hutton of New York City, and Samantha Clark Gammie with her husband Judd Gammie, and the Clark’s Great granddaughter Penelope Gammie. Her son Bruce L. Clark passed away in 2019. Numerous nieces and nephews live around the country. Both of Janet’s older sisters Carolyn Krementz & Marguerite Rood predeceased Janet .

A double funeral for Janet & David is planned for the Spring 2022.

Donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090, 800.272.3900,

on line at https://www.alz.org