Mary Maxine (Ward) Clark, 94, just 14 days shy of being 95, passed away peacefully at Miami County Hospice in Troy, Ohio. She was born March 13, 1929, in Quincy, OH to the late Alonzo E. & Lena (Flora) Ward.
In addition to her parents, Mary Maxine was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 60 years, Albert Lee Clark; two sisters, Helen (Wright) Watkins, and Irene (Frank) Spangler; two brothers, Harold Ward, and Richard “Dick” (Janice) Ward; and her grandson, David C Clark.
She leaves a legacy of love with her children, Charles R. (Debra) Clark of New Richmond, Dennis (Jill) Clark of Brooklyn, MI, and Gary (Carol) Clark of DeGraff; six grandchildren, Jennifer (Clark) of Acton Canada, Bryan (Yuriko) of Virgina Beach, VA, Sarah (Anthony) of Fredericktown, Wendy (Bobby) of Jackson, MI, Chad (Andrea) of Matawaton, MI, and Carly (Jon) of Midlothian, TX; 12 great grandchildren; one brother, Dale Ward of Quincy; numerous nieces and nephews, including a special niece who called her every day for a wellness check, Cindy (Ward) Brown. Cindy and her husband Bill would entertain her by playing Hand & Foot for an afternoon.
A 1947 graduate of Quincy High School, Mary Maxine was a longtime farmers wife and homemaker. She was a member of the Farm Bureau playing Euchre with the other members. She continued playing with the family, of course winning was her ultimate triumph. Mary Maxine loved having all her family gatherings for any special occasion. In the later years, when not able to cook, she happily gave out her recipes. Of course, the granddaughters have no idea what a Scoop of flour is, Pinch or Dash of salt. But however, it turned out, they always try again. Except the Carmel lcing recipe, several family members have tried, but it’s not the same.
She also had beautiful flower gardens, drawing in people all over to see her Iris collection. In her last days she played on her iPad doing word and picture puzzles. Facetimed with family. She loved the Buckeyes football and basketball teams, as well as attending the Cincinnati Reds baseball games in person or watching the games on TV.
Mary got to go on two cruises to Alaska and planned on going to Greenland this year. She was looking forward to mowing her lawn here this Spring.
The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, March 9, at the Daring & Sanford Funeral Home, 210 W. Hayes Street in DeGraff, where Pastor Mark Hackworth will officiate a funeral service at 12 p.m. Burial will follow in Greenwood-Union Cemetery in DeGraff, Ohio.
Memorial contributions may be made to Rosewood Fire & EMS, P.O. Box 108, Rosewood, Ohio 43070 or to Ohio’s Hospice of Miami County, 3230 N. County Road 25A, Troy, Ohio 45373.
DARING & SANFORD FUNERAL HOME, DEGRAFF is honored to serve the Clark family and encourages anyone to share a fond memory or message of condolence at www.edsfh.com.