Sandra Clarke
East Lyme — Sandra L. Clarke of Niantic died on Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2018, at home with her loving family at her side.
She was born March 23, 1947, in Philadelphia, Pa., the eldest daughter of Robert and Dorothy Stahl Sudlow. She married her best friend Harold Clarke, on July 11, 1998, in a garden wedding at their home.
In addition to her beloved husband, Harry; she is survived by her two children, daughter, Timi Junier and her husband, Wayne, of Assonet, Mass. and son, Todd Bergeson and his wife, Marlea, of Waterford. She is also survived by four grandchildren, who were the light of her life, Jacob, Jackson, Shiloh and Axel Bergeson of Waterford; and great-grandson, Finnegan Bergeson. She leaves three sisters, Lynn Sudlow and her husband, Ted Jerome, of West Lebanon, N.H., Robin Sudlow of Agawam, Mass., and Shelley Kelly of Willimantic. She also leaves five nephews, one niece, three grand-nephews and two grand-nieces. Her mini dachshund Lexie, who was a constant companion, and her cat, Addie, will miss her greatly.
Sandy graduated from New London High School, Class of 1965. She graduated from Norwich Regional Vocational Technical School licensed practical nursing program in 1990, receiving the Katie Schenk award for “Excellence in Bedside Nursing.” She received an associate of science nursing degree from Three Rivers Community College, graduating Cum Laude in 1995. Lawrence + Memorial Hospital employed her as an LPN and a registered nurse. She found her true niche in home care nursing and was employed by the Visiting Nursing Association of SECT until her retirement. Prior to her nursing career, she was employed by Friendly Ice Cream Corp. for many years.
Sandy’s love of life, her love for her family and friends were gifts that she never took for granted. She and her husband Harry enjoyed spending time with their grandchildren, traveling, gardening and remodeling their vintage home. Sandy was an active member of Christ Lutheran Church, Niantic.
Sandy’s volunteering and affiliations include: NL County Meals on Wheels, the VNA of SECT Flu Clinics, Connecticut Prison Association Volunteer Sponsor Program, and was a board member of Twin Havens Retirement Community. She loved volunteering on the COPD Foundation Information Call Line where she enjoyed talking with others about ways to live easier with COPD and made some wonderful friends through that work. She enjoyed volunteering for Donate Life CT, an organization which raises awareness of the unmet needs for organ donation in the State of CT. When her children were younger she held offices in the NL American Little League, Babe Ruth League and Pee Wee Football organizations. She was a Brownie leader, a Girl Scout leader and the secretary of the NL Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. She was a Friend of Bill’s for over a quarter century and was grateful every day for the gifts of that program.
Calling hours will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 10, at Fulton Theroux Funeral Home, 13 Lake St., Niantic. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Aug. 11, at Christ Lutheran Church, 24 Society Road, Niantic. Immediately following the ceremony there will be a reception at the church.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Sandy’s memory to: Christ Lutheran Church, 24 Society Road, Niantic, CT 06357; Lawrence + Memorial Hospital Pulmonary Rehab Program, 365 Montauk Ave, New London, CT 06320; or Donate Life CT, P.O. Box 278, Durham, CT 06422.