Obituary of Aileen Joy Clark

Aileen Joy Clark, age 95, passed away on November 9, 2019 while a resident of The Pearl in Lake Oswego, OR. Aileen was born to Edith and Charles Pray on November 6, 1924 in Portland, OR. She had one sibling, a sister, Dorothy White who predeceased her. Aileen was 18 when she married the love of her life, John J. Clark in Abington Pennsylvania on June 22, 1943. John predeceased Aileen and she never remarried. Aileen was a mother and homemaker through much of her married life, but after John’s passing she reentered the workforce and worked for many years as an administrative assistant in the International Studies department of Lewis and Clark College and at Marylhurst College. Aileen was an optimistic and enthusiastic person by nature however after she lost her husband at age 53 she had to work hard to build a satisfying full life. To that end, in addition to working, Aileen traveled, attended the Portland Symphony, frequented many Portland Playhouses and regularly attended Senior Studies classes and play reading classes. She was always striving to learn something new and challenge herself beyond her comfort level. Learning became her passion. Aileen was instrumental in creating the Senior Studies Institute of Portland Community College and she served in many leadership capacities over the years. She derived great pleasure from participating in those classes and in introducing others to Senior Studies Institute. Aileen was actively involved with and much loved by her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed playgrounds, movies, plays and hanging out with all of her grandchildren. She was steady and level; she modeled love, determination, perseverance, courage and gratitude. Aileen is survived by a daughter, Karen of Lake Oswego, three grandchildren, Christopher of Lyons, Jennifer of Los Angeles and Sarah of Salt Lake City and a great grandson Tamir of Los Angeles. Interment will be at 10:30 am, Friday, December 27, 2019 at the Wilhelm’s Portland Memorial Mausoleum in Portland.