Gretchen Clarke

Long time desert resident and Hawaiian fashion designer and retailer, Gretchen Clarke passed away Saturday January 22, 2011 at Eisenhower Medical Center. Gretchen Mary Clarke beloved wife of Hawaiian fashion pioneer, Waltah Clarke, moved to Palm Springs in 1952 opening their second store at the landmark El Mirador Hotel. She is survived by her six children, Walter Clarke Jr. of Honolulu, Hawaii, Heather Salsbury of Los Angeles, Rolf Clarke of Tennessee, Gretchen Clarke Jr. of Montana, Cameron Clarke of Ranch Mirage, and Cissy Clarke Milauskas of Los Angeles. Mrs. Clarke was well known and respected in the community for her charitable work including the founding of Tiempo de Los Ninos, the Desert Hospital auxiliary that raised money for the hospital. In addition Mrs. Clarke served multiple terms as president of Desert Circus, raising money for local charities. More recently, Mrs. Clarke was a member of Dusty Wings, a retired flight attendant organization which fundraises for Guide Dogs of the Desert and the Delta Gamma Sorority providing help for the blind. Together the Clarkes opened the nationwide chain of Waltah Clarke's Hawaiian Shops which were fixtures in the desert for nearly 40 years. As pioneers the Clarkes singled-handedly popularized Hawaiian fashion on the mainland. She was innovative in her fashion design exemplified by the launch of the mini muumuu in the sixties, resortware and matching His and Hers Hawaiian apparel. Mrs. Clarke was well respected, admired and honored for her work in the Desert. Though born in Chicago and graduating from Northwestern University, she met Waltah during hula lessons at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel in Waikiki in 1951. After a short stint with American Airlines, Mrs. Clarke moved to the Desert where she demonstrated an unparalleled joi de vivre well known by desert residents. Her children and friends will always admire her vibrant personality which fueled her fortitude, business acumen, zest for life and extraordinary ability to accomplish all of her goals and dreams. Services will be held at 3:00 PM on Friday, January 28, 2011 at Forest Lawn Funeral Home in Cathedral City, (800) 204 3131. Reception to follow at Lake Mirage, Rancho Mirage.

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