Sheila Brown Clark

Sheila Brown Clark passed away peacefully in the afternoon of May 3rd at her home in
Mt. View. Born on September 17, 1934, at the old Hilo Hospital, Sheila was the second
daughter of John (Pat) Brown of Cupar, Fife, Scotland, and Irene (Ducky) Brown née
Drake of Wagoner, Oklahoma.
Sheila's childhood was filled with abounding adventures, especially in the lush outdoors
with the neighborhood children as her companions – climbing trees and playing in
streams were her favorite. This spirit of adventure was a gift she never surrendered, she
carried its joy through her life, sharing it generously with her children and loved ones.
Fond childhood memories included trips on the train up the Hamakua Coast to Pa`auilo
with her sister Patricia to the plantation manager's home of William Fraser Robertson and
his wife Marjorie, where their parents would join them later by car. Sheila often
reminisced about summer holidays at the Kona Inn, swimming in the ocean-front
saltwater pool, family stays at Dr. Walter Seymour's beach home, and visits with friends
at the Giacometti and Wall homes at Keauhou Bay.
Sheila was a 1952 graduate of Hilo High School. She and her sister, Patricia (Hinkley)
faced the shadows of loss early when they lost their father in 1951 and then their mother
a year later. Kathryn Beveridge, a beloved family friend became Sheila's legal guardian
at the age of 17 and would be a cherished maternal presence in her life for over 40 years.
Sheila attended the University of Hawai`i at Manoa, where she met and fell in love with
David Douglas Clark. They were married on September 11, 1954 at the First Foreign
Church, followed by a beautiful reception at the Hilo Yacht Club.
Sheila and David brought three children into this world: David John, Heather Leina`ala,
and Mary Kathryn Kehaunani, all born in Hilo. David's work at Theo H. Davies
transferred the family to Kaua`i in 1959. Their years together on Kaua`i raising a young
family were, in her words, the happiest days of Sheila's life. An excellent seamstress, she
created beachwear and started a cottage business with her dear friend, Barbara (Babs)
Faye, in Lihu`e. She was also active in the Lihu`e Union Church, serving as the Board
Treasurer.
In 1971, Hilo called them back. Sheila enjoyed reconnecting with friends and family both
new and old, spending time creating a beautiful home in Keaukaha and playing tennis at
the Hilo Yacht Club. A few of her community interests included volunteering with the
Friends of the Hilo Library's yearly sale, and sharing stories as a docent at the Tsunami
Museum.
Health and wellness were among her passions, leading her to launch a business
distributing NeoLife supplements and products. By teaching her customers about
nutrition and health independence, she helped others improve their overall well-being and
created a network of like-minded, health-conscious individuals.
Sheila's ultimate passion was her spiritual work and study, which she began pursuing on
Kaua`i and continued throughout her life.
She was fiercely proud to be from Hawai`i, embodying the aloha spirit and expressing
her love for her birthplace, its traditions, flora, fauna, and people.
Sheila was known for her deep love and free laughter. She sought Truth and valued
honesty, often expressing her feelings openly and in her way. As a great storyteller with
an impressive memory, she will be deeply missed!
She is predeceased by her sister, Patricia Lei Dora Brown Hinkley in 1998; former
husband, David Douglas Clark in 2015; son, David John Clark in 2020 and youngest
daughter, Mary Kathryn Kehaunani Clark-Alexander in 2020. Sheila is survived by her
daughter, Heather Leina`ala Johnson and son-in-law D. Douglas Johnson of Anchorage,
AK; daughter-in-law Kathleen (Katty) Ann Clark of Mercer Island, WA; son-in-law,
Brian Michael Alexander of Florence, OR; grandchildren, Austin Clark Johnson and
Grace Leionaona Jacobsen of Anchorage, AK; Peter Dane Clark and Delaney
Ke`Alohilani Clark of Mercer Island, WA; and great-grandchildren, Penelope Olive
Johnson and Bode Wrenn Jacobsen of Anchorage, AK.