Dorothy G. Clark

Dorothy Gwendolyn Clark passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 24, 2019, at her residence in Homecrest House in Silver Spring, MD.

Dorothy was born in Harlem, NY, on October 10, 1925, to the late John and Lucy Collins, and was the widow to Louis Clark, Sr. (who lovingly nicknamed her “Dot”).  She was the eldest of eight children: Ethel Mossman, the late Miriam Rodgers, Thelma Lowe, Blanche Clarke, Joan Keyes, Maryann Robinson and John Collins, Jr.  Dorothy is survived by her 7 children; Jean Bell (late spouse – John), Margaret Moody, Steve Clark (spouse - Miriam), Louis Clark, Jr. (spouse – Lauria), Paul Clark (spouse – Laura), Philip Clark and Catherine Cook (late spouse – Gary).  She was also blessed with 7 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.  Dorothy considered successfully raising her family to be her greatest accomplishment.

Raising children during a time when racial discrimination was prevalent, she fought to ensure that her children were provided the highest available level of education offered by the NYC public school system.  She encouraged all her children to pursue education beyond high school; this resulted in all her children obtaining technical or professional certifications and/or academic degrees.  After Dorothy retired, she served her community through tutoring and mentoring neighborhood youth in the afterschool program at St. Philip & James Catholic Church and School in NYC.

Dorothy enjoyed sewing, knitting, crocheting, doing jigsaw, word search & crossword puzzles, reading and watching mysteries (her favorite was Murder She Wrote!), singing and writing (she was a member of the Writer’s club at Homecrest).  Movie night at Homecrest House was a regular event for her.  She was a devoted Catholic, practicing her faith as a member of Bible study and Sunday Fellowship groups.

Anyone and everyone who knew Dorothy would agree that she was a phenomenal mother, wife, sister, grandmother, friend and confidante.  Her listening skills were only surpassed by her ability to provide good advice & guidance.  She had numerous lifelong and loving friends, which attests the importance she placed in friendship. Her sharp, witty and warm personality was evident up until the end.