Mary Ellen Clark

Mary Ellen Clark

1924 - 2004

Well-known Northwest artist and Everett native, Mary Ellen Clark passed away December 25, 2004 at an adult family home in Everett.
Her parents, Bert and Sue Baker, of Everett preceded her in death. Her father, Bert also left us on Christmas Day in 1967. Mom was born in Everett in 1924 where she spent her childhood and young adult life. She graduated from Everett High in 1942. She worked at Rumbaugh's (later known as the Bon Marche), the Valetor Cleaners, and during WWII for Boeing as what she called "Rosier the Riveter". She married Richard Clark in 1943 and they moved to Lake Stevens to start a family. Mom stayed home for the most part, with my brother Mark and me, for which we are grateful. We kept her busy running us back and forth to ball practices and games. When we were older and became more independent, she found herself with enough time on her hands to get back into art--something she had loved and excelled in when she was in school, but had set aside for us. She studied under a couple of instructors, read a lot of books and studied the works of other artists and it wasn't long before she was showing her own paintings and selling most everything she painted. She loved the Pacific Northwest, and that was the subject of the majority of her work. She was commissioned by many to capture on canvas the things and places that meant the most to them. Soon she began teaching art classes herself--first out of our home, then at the Community Center in Lake Stevens, and eventually for the City of Everett at Forest Park, where she remained for 15 years. During those times she made many friends and touched many lives, encouraging her students to express themselves in their own way and to create art that reflected what they saw and felt, and not to copy or imitate.
Mom was a member of the VFW ladies Auxiliary and on any given Friday night you could usually find her out on the dance floor at the club. She loved to dance and she loved people, and made many good friends there. Through the years, Mom won numerous awards for her paintings from shows and fairs throughout the area. Many of her paintings hang in public and private collections in the Northwest and out of state. For those of you who are fortunate enough to own some of her paintings, know that you own a little piece of her heart and soul, for that's what she put into every one of them. Take good care of them, please. For as long as her artwork exists, I know she'll still be with us. We love you Mom. Rest in peace.
We would like to thank the people who took such good care of our mom towards the end when she needed it most. Sharon Dimick, owner and manager of Seahurst Adult Family Home and her number one employee, Linda Schlect. Thank God for people like you.
Mom is survived by her sister, Lois Johnson of Moclips; her son Mark; daughter, Suellen; niece, Cindy Schmidt; and nephews Darryl and Eric Johnson, all residing in Snohomish County.
No services were held at her request. Arrangements entrusted to Purdy & Walters with Cassidy.