Elaine Clark

Belvia Elaine Clark, known to all as Elaine, passed away peacefully at her home in Alexandria, Virginia, on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at the remarkable age of 101. Born in the old Alexandria Hospital on Duke Street, Elaine was the cherished only child of Aubrey C. Clark and Belvia Phillips Clark.
A lifelong resident of Alexandria, with brief periods spent in Harrisonburg and Washington, D.C., Elaine's roots ran deep in her community. She graduated from George Washington High School in 1941, excelling academically and spent her freshman year attending Madison College before returning to Alexandria. She then worked for the Draft Board and attended George Washington University part-time. Margaret Truman was a classmate and her father, President Harry Truman, delivered the commencement address in 1946.
Elaine defied the stereotype of the solitary only child, flourishing socially and academically. She was a proud member of Kappa Delta sorority, forging lifelong friendships and enjoying a vibrant social life. Her sharp intellect, encyclopedic memory, and passion for history and non-fiction made her a captivating storyteller.
Her professional life was marked by dedication and intellectual curiosity. Elaine held positions at the Reconstruction Finance Corporation and later spent ten years working for the Chinese Military Naval Attaché. Her career culminated at The Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), where she enjoyed working in its research center and later served as Executive Assistant to the Dean of the school, Robert Osgood. Her contributions to SAIS were highly valued, with faculty recognizing her wide-ranging knowledge and insightful perspectives on international relations. She retired in 1987.
In retirement, Elaine pursued her love of travel, fulfilling a lifelong dream with a trip to mainland China. She remained active in her community, volunteering and nurturing her extensive network of friends and family. Her dedication to maintaining connections was evident in her countless birthday cards and thoughtful gestures, often accompanied by the paw prints of her beloved dogs, Acie and Molly, and her cherished feline companions.
Elaine shared a deep and warm friendship with David Schurr, a specialist in German politics and history, with whom she shared her intellectual interests. Though they never married, their bond was enduring.
Known for her independent spirit and unwavering determination, Elaine lived life on her own terms, embodying the sentiment of her favorite song, I Did It My Way. She passed away in the home her parents purchased in 1971 that she shared for the last five years with a SAIS colleague, Andrea Catapano. She died surrounded by the comfort of hospice care and the devoted attention of her long-time housekeeper, caregiver, and friend, Rosa Miles. Elaine will be remembered for her sharp wit, scholarly curiosity, and a remarkable life lived fully and authentically.
Elaine's funeral will be held at the Everly-Wheatley Funeral Home, 1500 W. Braddock Road, Alexandria, VA 22302 on Thursday, April 10, 2025: Viewing at 10:00 a.m., Service at 11:00 a.m., Burial at Ivy Hill Cemetery at 12:00 noon, and Luncheon at Everly-Wheatley at 12:30 p.m.
For those contemplating a charitable gift in remembrance, please consider donating to the Goodwin Living Foundation – Hospice Fund, the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria, or a charity of your choosing.