Maria “Marie” Pia Clark

PECATONICA - Maria “Marie” Pia Clark, 92, passed away on August 11, 2023. Born on April 6, 1931, in Ferentino, Italy, the daughter of Alessandro and Felicia (Salvatori) Gerardi. She attended school in Italy and immigrated to the United States at 19 years old, then attended courses to learn English and obtained her nationalization. Marie was a devote Catholic. On June 23, 1956, she married the love of her life, Lee V. Clark, who predeceased her in 2012. Together they had two sons, Ernest and Matthew Clark. A homemaker, she returned to work to help the family following her husband sustaining a serious illness. Marie had a various work history, having worked at Inter City Box Factory where she met Lee, Berkley Scale, Pump Handle Inn, and working at Ideal Uniform Service, now Cintas, where she retired from. She enjoyed her grandchildren, gardening, sewing, knitting, crocheting, fishing, and cooking great Italian food. Marie is survived by her sons, Ernest and Matthew (Elizabeth) Clark; grandchildren, Katie (David) Brubaker and Mitchell Clark; loving cousin, Floyd Liberatori; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins in the U.S. and in Italy, whom she treasured. She was preceded by her parents, brothers, and sisters. A public visitation will be on Tuesday, August 22, 2023, from 10:00 – 11:00 am, at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, 1860 S. Mulford Road, Rockford, IL 61108. A funeral service will follow the visitation starting at 11:00 am. Burial in Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Please share memories and condolences online at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.