Myrtle "Penny" Clarke's Obituary
Myrtle or “Penny”, as close friends and loved ones called her, was born in Westminster Vermont on June 19, 1929. Penny was the second youngest of nine children. She lived in an exciting time in American history. She survived the Great Depression, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and the War on Terrorism. Penny was raised in New England and she worked at J. J Newberry’s in Bellows Falls, Vermont. When Penny was in her 20’s she married Francis W. Clarke, who like many men of that time, was in the military. Penny and Francis started a life together that took them away from New England to places, such as Texas, Guam, and California. Penny had the hardest job in the Navy because she was a Navy Wife. Often it was just her and the kids while Francis was serving America in foreign waters. Penny, as most women of her time, was a homemaker. Penny was always there from early in the morning until her family was safe in bed for the night. Although Penny did not have formal employment after marriage, she contributed in various ways to the communities that she lived in. She was a Den Mother for the Cub Scouts in Marina, California in the early 1960’s. In her later years Penny volunteered her services at the Deerhorn Valley Volunteer Fire Department Women’s Auxiliary in Jamul, California, and the East County Pregnancy Care Clinic in El Cajon, California. Penny loved to crochet and enjoyed quilting. She crocheted doilies and made quilts that are still in use today at friends and relatives homes around the country. Penny is survived by her son Gary Clarke, her son Dennis Clarke and his wife Diana Clarke, Grandson Timothy Apodaca, Granddaughter Tineka Herpel and her husband John Herpel, and Great Granddaughter, Chloe Herpel. Penny was 87 years old. She will be sorely missed.
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