Ann Thuss Clark

Ann Thuss Clark
Ann Clark, beloved mother, devoted family member, and wonderful friend to many, passed away unexpectedly in her San Francisco home in late September. She was 86.
We miss Mom very much and we hope that all who cared about "Annie" will celebrate her life, humor, and generous spirit by attending her funeral Mass on Friday, November 14th at 11 am at the Carmelite Chapel and Monastery of Cristo Rey, 721 Parker Avenue, San Francisco.
Mom was born in Birmingham, Alabama. She was the only daughter of John and Gertrude Thuss, younger sister to Charles Thuss, Jr., and older sister to Michael Thuss. Her youth is filled with stories about taking care of her troublesome horse Sylvia and playing center for the local boys' football team. Her father's assignment to Valley Forge U.S. Army hospital as a surgeon prompted her family's departure from Alabama. Shortly thereafter, Ann left for boarding school at Georgetown Visitation in Washington, D.C. Ann made the most of her time at "Visi" where she lettered in tennis, swimming (backstroke), and field hockey. She left Georgetown Visitation with close friendships and a lifelong fondness for the Oblate Sisters.
After high school, Ann joined her family at the Presidio of San Francisco. While there, Ann enrolled at City College of San Francisco – an institution that she would go on to serve for over 40 years. Ann also worked at the Marina Theater where she noticed an outgoing usher, Ray Clark. They were married at the Chapel of Our Lady on the Presidio in 1963 and would have two sons and a lifetime of adventures together.
While Mom and Dad were very close until Dad's death in 2008, they struggled to live together and eventually divorced. Ann decided to carry on her professional career as a single mother, a difficult and pioneering decision. She combined her passion for education, her sense of self-reliance, and her desire to help others by working as a career guidance counselor for City College of San Francisco. She wholly embraced education, first by completing her bachelor's degree at Dominican College (where she continued to play tennis) and later advancing her career with an MA in clinical psychology from Lone Mountain College and a PhD from the Saybrook Institute.
Mom loved learning and music – both deeply enriched her life. She was most inspired, though, by travel. Her adventures brought her to places ranging from Mexico to Russia, Australia to China, and many countries in Europe and most of the 50 states. Her favorite place outside of San Francisco was Crested Butte, Colorado. She loved skiing Little Lizzie each year and entertaining family at her home on Belleview Avenue.
In her later years, Ann would describe a perfect day as: "volunteer work for nonprofit organizations, programs and exercise at the YMCA, and work for my son' s business, RFC of San Francisco." She elaborated on what was most important in her life: her family, "my sons, my daughter-in laws, and my grandchildren."
Mom is greatly missed by Matt and Steve, her sons, and their families, her brother Michael and his family, and her relatives and many good friends.
In her honor and in lieu of flowers, the family suggests remembrance to Ray/Ann Clark High School Scholarship Fund, c/o St. Ignatius College Preparatory, 2001 37th Avenue, SF, CA 94116.