Paula Clark
Born: December 10, 1936 in La Salle, IL
Died: June 26, 2022 in Peru, IL
Paula Pivonski Clark, born to Paul and Ann Pivonski (nee Steinz) on December 10, 1936 in LaSalle, passed away on June 26, 2022 at Heritage Manor in Peru.
She will be missed by her family and all who knew her. Those wishing to say goodbye are welcome to attend a mass at St. Patrick's Church in LaSalle at 11:00 AM on Friday, July 22, 2022. Visitation will be in the church on Friday from 10:30 AM until time of services. The mass will be followed by her burial at St. Hyacinth's Cemetery and then by a lunch at Verucchi's in Spring Valley. The Hurst Funeral Home in La Salle is assisting the family with arrangements.
From an early age, Paula's passion was music. Her childhood home was always filled with it. Her mother was the organist at St. Mary's in Peru and then at St. Patrick's in LaSalle. She would practice on her piano in their home and soon Paula, the oldest of three siblings, learned the basics of piano. What stood out, however, was her voice. It was a glorious gift from God. Her brother, Paul, enriched the music with the sounds from his trumpet and her sister, Mary Lou, lent her lovely voice.
After graduating from St. Hyacinth's school and LaSalle-Peru Township High School. It was there that Paula found and began to cultivate her love of the stage and live performance. As an underclassman, she earned the role of "Katisha" in The Mikado and by her senior year, she had secured the lead role of "Princess Helene" in A Waltz Dream. She had fallen under music's spell.
Paula matriculated to Fontbonne University, a private (and at the time a women's only) Roman Catholic university in Clayton, MO. She then transferred to Drake University in Des Moines, IA where she earned a degree in music from the College of Arts and Sciences. After graduation, she moved to Chicago where tried out for, and earned a spot in, the prestigious Lyric Opera Chorus. She continued her professional training with legendary soprano and vocal instructor, Madame Maria Immaculata Martha Hussa-Greve. She earned lead roles as "Anna" and "Babe Williams" in the Chicago-area productions The King and I and The Pajama Game. Her family, friends and other fans from LaSalle-Peru even chartered a bus to Chicago see her perform. Ultimately, she earned the role of the "Mother Abbess" in The Sound of Music's travelling production, impressing audiences in cities throughout the east and mid-west including Boston, New York and Philadelphia.
She married Chicago native Donald Clark in 1963 at St. Hyacinths. The couple moved to New York City where Paula continued her pursuit of a career in music. After the birth of their first child, they returned to Chicagoland, where they raised their family.
Paula remained passionate about music. She taught private voice lessons, was a song leader at St. Joseph's in Homewood, and for decades was in high demand to sing at weddings and funerals. On more than one occasion, the time or day of a wedding or funeral was changed solely to secure her voice for the event. Of particular note was her annual performance of "O Holy Night" at Christmas mass. It was sublime.
Paula was active in the community serving the Ladies Guild at St. Joseph's and as a member and the former President of the local chapter of service sorority Beta Sigma Phi.
She is survived by her two cherished sons, Donald E. Clark Jr. and his family (spouse Inge and their four children Benjamin, Simon, Colin and Sara of Munster, IN, and Patrick Clark and his daughters Amelia and Aubrey of Homewood, IL, one sister, Mary Lou Lorenzi of LaSalle, and scores of dear cousins, nieces, nephews and their families.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Donald Clark Sr., her parents, and her beloved brother, Paul.
Online condolences may be viewed and remembrances shared at www.hurstfuneralhomes.com.