Susan Clarke

1929 - 2015

Susan (Susi) Clarke, 86, of Lee, MA formerly of Avon and Canton, CT, died peacefully with family by her side September 5, 2015. Susanna Ursula Schmidt was born April 12, 1929 in Zurich, Switzerland to Hans and Klara Moser Schmidt. She graduated from the Handelsschule, Zurich and considered the Swiss Alps her home until she met Dr. William A. Clarke, Jr. Captain, U.S. Army on vacation in St. Moritz. Bill, by a single request for a dance, swept her off her feet and became the love of her life. Susi lived a full and happy life and was ever the optimist; indeed most days were "Wonderful!" for she found complete and total joy in what each day offered: picking wild berries and grapes, swimming, cooking for her family, reading and discussing books, choosing a new scarf, eating cheese or chocolate or a Gravenstein apple, and drives with Bill. She made the ordinary, extraordinary. Her career as a Real Estate Agent in the Farmington Valley and her retired life in the Berkshires gave her many opportunities to meet people and learn about their lives while sharing a story with them. Susi dedicated her life to Bill, who predeceased her in 2011, and their four daughters, Eileen Fischer (John) of Wallingford, PA, Christine Brown (Putt) of North Canton CT, Joan Clarke (Greg) of Tucson, AZ and Ann Tenreiro (Javier) of Newton, MA. She leaves six adored grandchildren, Shannon (Michael) and Ian Brown, Clarke (Rebecca) and Erin (Matt) Hagedorn, Isabel and Nicholas Tenreiro and one great granddaughter, Cecelia Hagedorn, and many nieces and nephews. She also leaves her cherished sister Martha Borschberg and cousin Susann Huerzeler in Switzerland as well as her dear sister-in-law Margaret Payne of Plantation, FL and many friends. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Lee Library Association, 100 Main St., Lee, MA 01238 or like Susi, appreciate life and share joy every day. A celebration of Susi's life will be held at Ashintully Gardens, Sodom Road, Tyringham, MA, September 19th at 3:30 PM. A private family burial will take place at Fairmount Cemetery.