Olive Corinne Clarke

Olive Corinne Clarke, 92, of Deerfield Beach, Florida, a humble and cherished lady known for her kind, loving, compassionate, and humorous personality, left us on Saturday, August 31, 2024 after a long life filled with joy, adventure and kindness towards others.

Olive is survived by her nephews and nieces:  Lola (Gary), Marcelle (David), Astrid (Frank), Krista, Felix (Hazel), Clinton (Angela), Anne-Marie, Ray, Whitlin, Ava, and Karlene.  Olive is also survived by her many grand-nephews and -nieces and great-grand-nephews and -nieces and other relatives, many of whose lives were greatly enriched by Olive's presence.  Olive’s departure might leave an unfillable void, yet we can all be comforted in the memories and everlasting love we shared with Olive.

Olive was predeceased by her siblings: Carlton, Lorna, Russell, Joan, and Winston, Paul Prestera her “adopted” son, and her nephews Carl and Earl.

Olive Corinne Clarke was born on January 18, 1932 in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, West Indies to Grace and Oliver.  By the age of thirteen both of Olive's parents had passed away.  In the 1960s Olive took a leap of faith and left her Caribbean homeland – solo – for the USA, settling in Brooklyn, New York.

Olive initially found employment as a nanny and helped to raise the Prestera clan: Paul (who referred to Olive as his second mom), Peter, Christopher, Anthony (Chip) and Pamela.  Later, Olive took a position as an accounting clerk with Ernst and Young and remained there until her retirement in 1997.

After retirement, Olive took another leap of faith and purchased a condominium in Deerfield Beach and resided there for twenty-seven years – until her passing.  Olive was a devout Roman Catholic – a faith which anchored her personal values and principles and guided her throughout her life – and she regularly attended masses at St. Ambrose in Deerfield Beach.  Olive thrived in the convivial, family atmosphere of her condo community and relished the annual Bocce tournaments and actively participated in condo community festivities and celebrations.

A funeral mass with Olive’s ashes will be held on Friday, October 18, 2024, at 9:15 AM at St. Ambrose Catholic Church, 380 S. Federal Highway, Deerfield Beach, FL.  A light luncheon will follow at 11:15 AM at the Bella Mar Clubhouse – across from the Church.

Olive’s ashes will be entombed in Toronto, Canada, alongside her late sister Lorna’s ashes.

In remembrance of Olive, a charitable memorial fund titled "Olive Clarke’s Memorial Charitable Fund" has been created.  In lieu of flowers or other contributions, those wishing to honor Olive's memory may donate at the following URL: bit.ly/OliveClarkeMCF

All proceeds received will go to St. Dominic's Children's Home in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, West Indies for repair of the 153-year-old facilities – a cause dear to Olive.  Learn more about St. Dominic's Children's Home here: bit.ly/StDominicHelp

A special heartfelt thank you from Olive’s family is extended to those who brought comfort and happiness to Olive in her final months: Pat and Annalisse, Nicole, Karen and Dave, Trix, Ruth and Suzy, Debbie and Dennis, Pam and Eileen, Maria and nurse Kacey and also to the staff at Broward Health Medical Center and Vitas Hospice.  Mere words cannot adequately express the appreciation felt by Olive’s family.

To those of us who knew and loved Olive, she was a beacon of kindness and love.  As we grapple with the loss of Olive’s physical presence, we find solace in knowing that Olive’s spirit will live on in our hearts and minds.

Send to someone

Share this obituary with others

https://everloved.com/life-of/olive-clarke/obituary/

Copy