Debra Y. Clark

1956 - 2023

Debra Y. Clark

Concord, NH - Debra Y. Clark, a long-time resident of Concord, New Hampshire, passed away on Sunday, May 21st, 2023, age 67, from a short struggle with a rare and aggressive cancer, surrounded by her children. She was born in Boston, MA, the daughter of Stirrat H. Clark and Jean Y. Clark, née Adams. She graduated from Concord High School in 1974, Amherst College in 1978 with a B.S. in Physics, and Northeastern University in 1979 with an M.S. in Accounting.

She is survived by her four children, son, William S. Clark, daughter, Caitlin D. Clark, both of Concord, NH; stepson, Eugene S. Daniell IV and his wife Amy of Wrentham, MA; and stepdaughter, Karen G. Daniell and her wife Karen Taylor of Stratham, NH. She is also survived by a grandson, Mitchell T. Daniell of Wrentham, MA, a stepmother, Carol Chaudiere of Washington, and six cats. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death in 2019 by her husband of 36 years, Eugene S. Daniell III, who she met while hiking in the White Mountains.

She worked for various firms as an accountant until she joined the Digital Equipment Corporation as an accountant and information services specialist in 1984. In 1999 she joined NPO Solutions where she did technical support and training for FIMS, an accounting software package for non-profit community foundations, and followed it between its many owners. Even after her retirement in 2017 she continued to lend her financial expertise to FIMS users, all while expanding her involvement in local arts non-profits.

Debi was a member of the Concord Chorale for over three decades and sang in dozens of their concerts, and dearly wished to sing the Stabat Mater in their June concert. Eventually she joined its board as Treasurer, and even after stepping down from that position continued as their bookkeeper until her passing. She also served on the board of its foundation, and as Treasurer for RB Productions, a community theatre organization.

She loved to travel, always taking advantage of business trips to enjoy the local art museums, flower gardens, and hiking trails. Her vacation time was devoted to the same, with regular vacations to the Whites and the Lakes Region, the Berkshires and the Catskills, family trips to Walt Disney World, road trips to Colorado and the Great Lakes, and even a few trips to Japan and Europe.

She was a member of her high school's outing club, and she continued hiking for her entire life. She completed her Four-Thousand Footers in less than a year, backpacked in the Deep Creek Mountains and along the Pacific Crest Trail, climbed in the Alps of Europe and Japan, and much more. In recent years with friends and family she enjoyed walking nature trails and hiking smaller, less popular (and less crowded) peaks. Of course, she also served as the unofficial treasurer of the AMC Four-Thousand Footer Committee for many years.

Debi invested herself into many hobbies over the years: She sewed clothes and crocheted blankets for her children, maintained a vegetable garden until she surrendered to the deer and rabbits, collected plates, dragons, castles, and baskets, and strung together many necklaces and earrings which she both sold and gifted. She was also a fan of science fiction and introduced her son to many authors and franchises, including her favorites, Babylon 5 and Stargate, and the dragons of Pern. Notoriously in the days before DVRs she used a tower of VCRs to record the many shows she watched (or at least intended to), and fastidiously fast-forwarded through the commercials while sewing, beading, accounting, or playing various strategy and simulation PC games.

Per her wishes there will not be a memorial service, but in memory of Debi and Gene hikes to the four-thousand footers and a few of their other favorite locations will be intermittently arranged. If desired, donations can be made to your favorite organization supporting the environment, conservation, or the arts, or to researching treatments for cancer, particularly cholangiocarcinoma.