Charlotte M. Clark

1934 - 2016

Charlotte Marie Clark

Born: April 29, 1934

Died: November 26, 2016

Charlotte Marie Clark, of Rochelle passed away on November 26th, 2016, surrounded by her loving sons, after a brief illness.

Charlotte Marie Needham was born in Dekalb, Illinois on April 29th, 1934, to Fred B. and Blanche (Larson) Needham of Maple Park. She was greeted at home by her siblings, Martha, Bill, Alice, Donald and, soon after followed Linda. She attended Maple Park High School (class of '52) and worked at the towns Dairy Bar. She was extremely proud of her Dad, the town Blacksmith, and her Mother, who was adored by all. Charlotte met Eugene "Gene" Clark at a roller rink in Dekalb. They were married in 1959.

They were soon joined by their five sons: Steven Edward, James William, Mitchell David, Thomas Patrick and Timothy Gene, known locally as "The Clark Boys". They were her lifelong pride and joys, to whom she remained fiercely loyal and supportive of until the end. With her husband, Gene, they opened and ran The University Shop men's clothing store in downtown Dekalb, and two Dekalb area motels.

Charlotte, or "Snorky", as she was know by many, was a generous, tireless, caring and thoughtful woman who always put others before herself. She was very quick with a zinger and could make anyone laugh, or stop the tears of those who needed comforting. She could coach little league in a pinch, make peanut brittle to perfection, or hit a golf ball into the stratosphere. For eight years in a row she was co-host to her son's now legendary Thanksgiving parties in New York City; cooking, entertaining and playing mother hen to over 250 people at the last one in 2007. She made many, many friends in NYC, who cherish her to this day. Her grandchildren and newly-arrived great-grandchildren were the great joys in her life, for whom her love knew no bounds.

She was preceded in death by Gene Clark, her parents, Fred and Blanche; her sisters, Martha (Wallis), Linda (Rubeck), Alice (Smith); and brothers, Bill and Donald (Jug) Needham.

She leaves behind her sons, Steven (Ami) of Mt. Morris, James (Cindy) of Rochelle, Mitchell of Sycamore, Thomas of New York City and Timothy (Heide) of Genoa; as well as ten grandchildren, Sarah, Brian, Megan, Avery, Chase, Jennifer, Heather, Matthew, Ashley and Reed (her best pal!); and two great-grandchildren, Libby and Kaylee.

There will be a private family service.