Ruth Agnes Clark

Ruth Agnes (McDonough) Clark of Chino died January 2, 2015 at the age of 86. Born May 19, 1928, she was the 10th of 12 children born to Edward and Elizabeth McDonough of Middletown , Ohio.

In her 86 years she experienced many things. She grew up on a farm with no electricity, endured the great depression and felt the effects of World War II on her family and country. After High School she studied nursing, then entered the Convent and was a nurse for the Sisters of Mercy in Ohio. Before taking her final vows, she left the convent and began her adventurous move across the country to the "Golden State."

Ruth met her husband Cohen Clark while in Cincinnati and he soon followed her to California. They married in 1956 at St. Joseph's in Pomona while Ruth worked at Pomona Valley Hospital. In 1960 they started the first privately owned ambulance service in Chino. It was located on Central Avenue where the Citizen's Business Bank now stands.

Bookkeeping for the business and raising 6 children was a constant challenge for Ruth during the 1960's. The Clark Ambulance Service was sold in 1970 and Ruth went to work at Chino Community Hospital when it first opened in 1972. At the age of 55, Ruth completed her Bachelor's Degree in Nursing through the University of Phoenix. She worked as Director of Nurses at Bella Vista Convalescent Hospital for many years.

Throughout her 55 years in Chino, St. Margaret's Catholic Church was an important part of Ruth's life. She did not get her driver's license until 1967, so for several years she walked to daily mass from their home on Central Ave. and then from the family home on 7th Street. As the children attended St. Margaret's School, Ruth was actively involved in the PTA. Later she kept involved by teaching Religious Education classes, working at the St. Vincent de Paul thrift store, was a Parish Council member, enjoyed being a Group Leader of Women's Bible Study and was involved in many other areas of the Parish. Ruth was one of the first women chosen to be a Eucharistic Minister for the church after Vatican II. She completed the Bishop's lay ministry program called "Straling Institute," which lead her deeper into religious service as a lay person.

Ruth's husband, Cohen Clark died in 2001. She is survived by her 6 children: Carolyn Strickland (Doug) of Mentone; Marilyn Summers (Dave) of Chino; Daniel Clark of Yucaipa; Theresa Malouf (Robert) of Meridian, Idaho; Mary Ann Brooks (Rahn) of Billings, Montana; Timothy Clark of Chino. And, is survived by 10 grand-children, 4 great-grand-children and many close friends.

She is remembered by family and friends as a joyous, faithful woman with Irish wit and charm equal to no other. She was small in stature but large was her love of God and all God's people.

To remember and celebrate the life of Ruth, a vigil will be held Sunday January 11, at Pierce Bros. Griffith Mortuary from 4:00-8:00 pm with praying the Rosary at 6:00 pm. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 am Monday at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, Chino with a luncheon to follow.

To honor Ruth's love of charity and her Church in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Ruth's name to Mary's Table at Mercy Center Inc., P.O. Box 7563, San Bernardino, CA 92411 and/or to St Margaret's Special Fund, 12686 Central Ave., Chino, CA 91710.