Marguerite Shields "Peg" Clark

CLARK, Marguerite "Peg" Shields, 87, residing at The Virginian in Richmond and formerly a longtime resident of Newport News, died Sunday, September 26, 2010. Born in Weaverville, N.C., she was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Zeno Y. Shields, later of Newport News. Growing up in Asheville, N.C., she studied voice with Madame Elda Vitori of the Metropolitan Opera. Graduating from the College of William and Mary in 1943, she worked at the Port of Embarkation during WWII, where she met her husband, the late Edwin S. Clark Jr. He was posted overseas and throughout the states until his retirement when they settled in Newport News. She taught fifth grade in the Newport News School System for 25 years at Jenkins and Menchville Elementary Schools. She represented the teachers of the system as president of the Newport News Education Association and as president of District B of the Virginia Education Association. She received her master's degree in reading from Hampton University. She was a member of the American Cancer Society, Peninsula Unit, and served on the Executive Board for many years. She was involved in numerous fundraisers working for the Relay For Life from its inception, Wine and Cheese Parties, and the Daffodil Fashion Shows. She served as president of the Omicorn Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma International Society of Women Educators and was recognized as a member of the Old Guard of the College of William and Mary. In retirement, she and her husband enjoyed traveling the world. Summers there were trips to Duck, N.C., with her family and then "just girls" trips with her daughter, granddaughter and great-granddaughter to meet with friends of 25 years. Always gracious and "dressed to the hilt," she was a wonderful teacher, a compassionate daughter who cared for her mother for many years, a loving mother who was always available to and supportive of her daughter, granddaughter and great-granddaughter, a warm and caring friend to many, and a devoted wife who enjoyed 59 years of marriage. She was preceded in death by her brothers, Donald R. Shields of Poquoson and George Bernard Shields of Virginia Beach. She is survived by a daughter, Karen Norsworthy and her husband, David, of Powhatan; a granddaughter, Molly West and her husband, Joshua; a great-granddaughter, Briana, all of Chesterfield; two sisters-in-law, Nancy Shields of Poquoson and Edith Shields of Gibsonville, Ohio; two nieces, one nephew and many close friends. The family will receive friends from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, September 30, in the parlor of First United Methodist Church, followed by the funeral service at 11:30 a.m., with a reception to follow in the Fellowship Hall. Interment will be held at 1:30 p.m. in Peninsula Memorial Park. Memorial donations may be made to First United Methodist Church, 10246 Warwick Blvd., Newport News, Va. 23601, or to the American Cancer Society, 11835 Canon Blvd., Suite A-102, Newport News, Va. 23606. Peninsula Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.


This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.