Elizabeth Clarke Obituary

Elizabeth Allin Clarke, 98, a long-time resident of Lake Forest, passed away July 2, 2016 in her home. Mrs. Clarke was born April 5, 1918 in Omaha, Nebraska. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 62 years, Edwin Richards Clarke II. Mrs. Clarke was the daughter of General and Mrs. George R. Allin. She will be greatly missed by her brother, Colonel George R. Allin (Retired); her three children, Marjorie (Colonel John A. III (Retired)) Warden, Peggy (J. Michael) Griem, and Edwin Richards Clarke III. She was grandmother of Betsy (Colonel Todd (Retired)) Dierlam, Lt. Colonel John (Holly) Warden IV (Retired), Jack (Jai) Griem, Marcy (Jim) Calaway and Eddy Clarke; and loving great grandmother of Ashley and Pete Warden; Megan, Alex and Travis Calaway; Ann Marie, Lizzie, and Mark Dierlam; and Kate and Caroline Griem. She believed that strong family ties were important to an effective, caring society. Mrs. Clarke attended the University of Hawaii and graduated from Duke University, where she was a member of Pi Beta Phi Sorority. She later studied at the Fort Sill, Oklahoma Motor Pool and became certified to be an ambulance driver for the Army. Mrs. Clarke was a "waiting wife," while her husband served in the European Theater, from 1943 until September, 1945. Mrs. Clarke traveled all over the world, which gave her a broad perspective on national defense, women's issues, and education issues. After her children were successfully launched in their careers, she was devoted to these areas. Mrs. Clarke was a leader in stopping the Equal Rights Amendment, which would have prevented women from having their own all-women's organizations, clubs, societies, hospitals, schools, prisons, etc. Mrs. Clarke was leader of the National Federation of Independent Business and served on the Illinois Commission on the Status of Women. She was an active member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, League of Women Voters, American Association of University Women, Urban League Guild, Concerned Women of America, and the National Strategy Forum. She was also a Republican Party Deputy Registrar, and enjoyed her garden club, bridge, and writing "Letters to the Editor." A private family graveside memorial service of cremated remains will take place at a later time. Donations may be made to the Eagle Forum Education and Legal Defense Fund, P. O. Box 618, Alton, IL 62002.

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Published by PL-Lake from Jul. 7 to Jul. 14, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Elizabeth Clarke

6 Entries

Ed Clarke

September 9, 2016

A remembrance by her son, Ed Clarke, July 22, 2016

Duty, Honor, Country. Many here will recognize this as the West Point motto. Mum-mum's dad graduated from West Point. So did her brother and her nephew. Her son-in-law and grandson graduated from the Air Force Academy which, in many ways, was a spin off from West Point. Growing up in mum-mum's household, we would watch a weekly TV show called, The West Point Story. In addition to the West Point motto, we learned the story of the tradition of the long grey line and the honor code, We will not lie, cheat or steal nor tolerate those among us who do.

I think mum-mum would have modified the motto to be Duty, Honor, Family, Country. She did so much over the years to keep the family together. She sent birthday cards every year to each of her 3 children and to their spouses, to each of her 5 grandchildren and to each of her 10 great grandchildren. She was the communication link that helped keep us all in touch.

Mum-mum was truly a member of the greatest generation, born at the end of WWI, a teenager/college student during the Depression. She did her part at her dad's US Army school to train young officers in the many arts of field artillery and became a certified ambulance driver. She sent a husband off to war while raising two children. She greeted him when he came back and soon was raising a third. By the numbers, after she was married, she moved households 17 times, living in 10 cities over a span of 24 years before finally settling into Lake Forest, IL. During her life, she sent her brother off to war 3 times and her husband, son, son-in-law, granddaughter, grandson-in-law and grandson off to war at last once each. After her father died, she cared for her mother for 8 years. She and my dad enjoyed their loving companionship for 62 years until he died in 2003.

There are many things that could be written about the character and accomplishments of my mother, Elizabeth Allin Clarke. But let me end by saying I will miss her very much. I will miss the 4-5 daily emails on topics of mutual interest. I will miss her passion and patriotism. I will miss her ever-present caring for her extended family. I will miss her love that she expressed to all her family every day.

Willard Helander

July 26, 2016

Elizabeth was one of the first ladies I met when I moved to Deerfield and joined North Shore Chapter NSDAR. She was gracious, organized and better informed than any reporter or political leader one could meet. Her patriotism and dedication to the Constitution and all the freedoms it provides are reflections her amazing life experiences and wisdom to search diligently for the truth. She is missed and lives in the many she taught and challenged to learn.

Gloria Henke

July 14, 2016

The world was a better place with Elizabeth in it. She was a role model for me, willing to stand up for her beliefs, and was a true patriot. I will miss her.

Karen Winfield

July 14, 2016

So sorry to hear of the passing of one of the grandest ladies of politics I ever expect to know. Over decades of faithful, patient service, she mentored countless young people in how to get involved and become good citizens who would uphold moral values and Constitutional principles. She opened up her home to a steady stream of novice activists and put them to work collating flyers, stuffing envelopes, and, oh, by the way, listening to her patient explanations of how government works and the importance of fighting to preserve liberty. Her influence cannot be measured, except to say it was huge. I haven't seen her for more than 25 years, but I have thought of her often with gratitude that I was lucky enough to be one of her students. She was one of a kind. She never waivered, but stood up to abuse in support of her principles. I know she was greeted on the other side with a warm welcome, "Well, done, thou good and faithful friend." So long, Elizabeth. Kind wishes to her family in the loss of a mother, grandmother, and a great American.

July 12, 2016

Sending my condolences to the family. May God give you strength and peace during this difficult time. (Psalm 29:11)

Lynn

July 12, 2016

My sincere condolences to the Clarke family. May the God of all comfort be with you during this difficult time. Remember that he cares for you-1 Peter5:7.

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