Colleen Clark

Colleen Clark

January 11, 1954 - July 13, 2024

NAPA - Napa native Colleen Clark died on Saturday, July 13, 2024, at her home in Napa, surrounded by family and friends after suffering metastatic breast cancer. She was 70.

Colleen is survived by her brother, David (Beverly) of Sydney, Australia; her brother, Mark (Kristine) of Carmichael, CA; her niece, Becca (David) of Sydney, Australia; her nephew, Jesse (Millie); and grandnephew, Otis Etienne of Berlin, Germany; and her nephew, Ray of South Lake Tahoe, CA.

Colleen was born and raised in Napa County, the daughter of Ray and Monica Dabelstein Clark. Colleen attended Mt. George Elementary, Silverado Middle and Napa High Schools before earning her A.A. from Napa Valley College and a B.A. in Political Science from Humboldt State University in 1977. Upon receiving a J.D. from Southwestern University School of Law in 1980.

Colleen began practicing law in the insurance defense field. Residing in Pasadena and loving it. Colleen was a 15-year member of the Tournament of Roses, a member of the Pasadena Jr. Chamber of Commerce, the Board of Governors of the University Club of Pasadena, the Board of Directors of the YMCA of Pasadena, the Board of Directors of the Pasadena Bar Association and past President of the Pasadena Young Lawyers. She returned to the North Bay in 1999, and practiced law as an in-house lawyer for Farmers Insurance in Santa Rosa. While living in Santa Rosa, Colleen served as adjunct professor at the Empire College of Law. She opened her own law practice in 2006 while caring for her elderly father.

In 2009, Colleen was awarded a contract from the State of California to represent mothers in child dependency cases to protect their constitutional rights. The work was stressful but very rewarding.

A busy professional life did not keep Colleen away from her devotion to volunteering and singing. Highlights included performing in the 2010 Follies du Valle and being an active annual volunteer for Auction Napa Valley. She coached Napa HS mock trial teams for 14 years, keeping in touch with many students over the years. In 2005, Colleen joined the Napa Sunrise Rotary and served as a board member several times.

Through her association with Napa Valley College and Napa HS Alumni, Colleen traveled and sang in Italy, Austria, Scotland, Ireland and England. Collen often graced the stage singing for Sing Napa Valley, the NVC Chorale and NHS alumni choir. She treasured all of the dear friends she made along the way. An avid gardener, many friends were lucky enough to get a jar of Colleen's tomatillo salsa. Clarissa, Colleen's beloved cat, will continue to live in the neighborhood with dear friends Sue and Bill.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Napa Sunrise Rotary Endowment Fund or the Napa Valley Community Foundation (to the Colleen Clark Endowment Fund).

Colleen loved a good party and a celebration of her life will be held in the near future.