Gail Louise Clark

South Royalton, Vt. - On Jan. 31, 2009, Gail Clark passed peacefully at her home with her husband of 46 years and her daughter by her side.

On Jan. 8, 1946, Gail Louise Palardy was born in New London, to her parents, Eleanor (Wydler) and Francis Palardy. She obtained her primary and secondary education in New London and Norwich, where, on the school bus, she met an upperclassman who would become her husband and lifelong business partner, Stuart Dennis Clark Jr.

Gail married Stuart in Stonington, on Jan. 26, 1963.

In 1967, Gail, Stuart, and their daughter, Tammy, moved to South Royalton, Vt., where she resided until her recent passing. Gail received her associate's degree in business administration from Nathaniel Hawthorne College in New Hampshire while raising three children and co-managing with her husband an electrical contracting business. Gail made a significant impact on the lives of her employees and their families. She was known for her no-nonsense approach and deep concern for every life she touched.

Gail's passions centered on traveling, golfing, and gaming. Typically, these passions would collaborate to create long-distance family fun-filled road trips and not by coincidence. Gail and Stuart traveled the United States, all 48 contiguous, several times with their three kids, which offered their family an unmatched education not found in textbooks, along with lifelong memories and adventures. As their children started families of their own, Stuart and Gail settled on trips closer to home (this side of the Mississippi) still with a casino on the trip-tik and always with "a good walk spoiled" or two on their itinerary.

Additionally, Gail was an avid reader and master of any word game she played. Her all-time favorite author was Kurt Vonnegut, who wrote in "Breakfast Of Champions," "New knowledge is the most valuable commodity on earth. The more truth we have to work with, the richer we become." Gail enjoyed searching for the truth, and as a result, enjoyed a very rich life.

Gail is survived by her husband; her daughter, Tammy Furman and her husband, Richard, of Hartford, Vt.; her sons, Stuart "Shane" Clark III and his wife, Barbara, of Albuquerque, N.M., and Travis Clark and his wife, Jessica, of Evergreen, Colo.; her brother, Donald Palardy of Norwich; and her sister, Elsie Johnson of Groton; her grandchildren, Dennis Furman, Jason Everett, and Mason Clark; a special niece, Rhonda Brock of South Royalton, Vt., and many other nieces, nephews, and extended family and friends.

At Gail's request, there will be no services at this time; rather there will be a celebration of her life at a date to be announced.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice of Vermont and New Hampshire, P.O. Box 976, White River Junction, VT 05001.

Online condolences may be left at www.dayfunerals.com.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Day Funeral Home, Randolph, Vt.