Arlene Joan Clark

ARLENE JOAN CLARK
May 14, 1937 ˜ July 16, 2025

Arlene Joan Clark, 88, a cherished wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend, passed away peacefully on July 16, 2025. Her life was a beautiful reflection of love, strength, determination, and unwavering dedication to her family and friends.

Born on May 14, 1937, in Tacoma, WA, Arlene was the daughter of Ann and Kermit Ness. She and her brother Eddie grew up in Enumclaw, WA. Arlene graduated as the valedictorian from Enumclaw High School in 1955, earning the Weyerhaeuser Scholarship to the University of Washington (UW). She received a Bachelor of Science in Zoology from UW in 1959. In 1960, she married the love of her life, Cal Clark, who was attending medical school at Tufts Medical School in Boston. Arlene pursued her graduate studies at Tufts, completing her Master of Science degree in Microbiology and Virology in 1963. Their son, Brian, was born in 1963, and the family returned to Portland, OR, for Cal to complete his residency training as a pediatrician. Their daughter, Debbie, was born in 1966 in Portland. They were fondly known as the A-B-C-D Clark family. In 1968, they moved to Vancouver, where Cal practiced pediatrics for 35 years, and Arlene taught Chemistry and Microbiology at Clark College while also coaching and playing tennis at the Vancouver Tennis Center and around the Northwest.

Arlene is survived by her husband of 65 years, Calvin; son, Brian (Jackie) Clark; daughter, Debbie (Angelo) Biondo; granddaughter, Allison (Shanahan) Doyle; grandson, Kevin Clark; great-grandson, Sullivan Doyle; and beloved French exchange student daughter, Claire (Darin) Greenen, now of Lyon, France.

The outdoors was Arlene’s domain. She enjoyed hiking, climbing several snow-capped Cascade peaks, and biking long rides like the RAGBRAI in Iowa, the Katy Trail in Missouri, the Seattle to Portland (STP) ride, and Cycle Oregon. However, tennis was her true passion. She played for 72 years and added a USTA teaching role to her background. Arlene taught many age groups as a teaching pro at the Vancouver Tennis Center and became affectionately known as Grandma Tennis. She coached women’s tennis at Hudson’s Bay High School, Clark College, and one year at the University of Portland, which she enjoyed immensely. She played Pacific Northwest age-group team tennis for many years, and she and her long-time partner, Wil Niosi, won numerous matches throughout her career. In June 2025, the Vancouver Tennis Center and the USTA dedicated Court 5 as Arlene Clark Court in her honor, a moment she was incredibly proud of. She also cherished many wonderful visits to Central Oregon at their Black Butte Ranch cabin with family and friends to play tennis, hike, and cross-country ski.

In the final months of her life, Arlene was lovingly cared for by her family, especially her daughter, Debbie, along with Hospice, and many friends, including Kevin and Melanie Young.

In lieu of flowers, donations will be gratefully accepted by the USTA-PNW for the Arlene Clark Scholarships for Youth @ Vancouver Tennis Center (https://give.ustapnw.org/causes/arlene-clark-scholarships-for-youth-at-vtc/). This scholarship will benefit kids who want to learn tennis for their lifetime.

A celebration of life event will be held Saturday, August 16, 2025, from 1-3 p.m. at the Heathman Lodge in Vancouver, WA, 7801 NE Greenwood Drive, in the Fort Vancouver room.
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