Clarke obituary
From New Castle News
Mary P. Clarke, 103, passed away on Feb. 10, 2008, at The Homestead Assisted Living facility in Owasso, Okla., where she had resided for the past four years.
She spent 85 years in New Castle, living most recently at Buena Vista Way in Neshannock Township. She moved to Oklahoma in 2000.
Born Jan. 27, 1905, she was the daughter of the late George B. and Katherine Leicht Perdue. Her family moved to New Castle 10 years later after her father died.
She married Harlow W. Clarke. He died in February 1974.
Also preceding her in death were two brothers, Willard F. Perdue and George Perdue, and two sisters Mrs. Ralph (Virginia) Felton and Mrs. Elmer D. (Lois) O’Neill.
She is survived by nieces and nephews, including Georgeann Perdue McCarthy of Texas, a 1953 New Castle High graduate.
Mrs. Clarke attended Pennsylvania State University and received a degree in secondary education from Geneva College. She continued post-graduate study at the University of Michigan and the University of Pittsburgh, receiving certification as a reading consultant. She was a teacher of English and reading for 37 years at New Castle High School.
She also worked in the University of Pittsburgh’s reading lab, was a consultant for EDL Labs and established a reading lab for the New Castle High School. Upon her retirement from the public school system, she became an instructor of sewing for the Vogue Pattern Co.
She was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church, the Ladies Guild and the St. Anne’s Altar Guild. She was also a member of the Jameson Guild, the Wimodausis Society and the BPOE Ladies Auxiliary.
Burial was to be in Oak Park Cemetery. A memorial service will be held in the spring at Trinity Episcopal Church. The date will be announced.
