I hope I have posted some photos & our poem for Pat & Pete.  The poem was written to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary, but I thought it would be a nice way to share a lot our memories of times with them.  We will miss you, Pat, but you will always be with us. Love to all the Clarkes from Martha & Bob.

Such a lovely dear friend who will always have a special place in our hearts. Memories of our fun together, love of Ella Fitzgerald, love of our visits to Mrs Lam's Chinese dating back to 1959. Wonderful sense of humour was full of love for everybody, the kindest person on the planet. We'll always love you Pa-Pa.

At various times, Pat has been both a Mother, and a Sister to me, but for 54yrs, always a loving friend.

When I met her when I was 21 years old. I looked up to this beautiful woman, mother of two boys, wife and very loving person. She was all one wished to be.

During my first pregnancy, at 23, my husband John, went back to England to be Best Man at his brother’s wedding and as I was due in 6 weeks, I could not fly.

I stayed one evening at Pat’s after babysitting Graham, then about 7 years old, but during the night the baby decided to come early and I woke to realize this. At 7am I told Pat and we called my Doctor.

Pat did not like to drive on freeways and would never drive into SF

We called my doctor and he asked Pat to drive me down to Pacifica to a clinic he was at that day.

I remember her taking a deep breath and saying okay.

She drove through Marin, San Francisco, all the way down to the clinic to be told by my doctor to take me back into San Francisco, to St. Mary’s Hospital - at once ! !

I was in labor while this was happening and she was truly a mother to me that day, taking control beautifully.

She was not a relative, and could only drop me there, as there was a bug going around maternity wards at the time. So she then drove herself home.

This child is Pat and Pete’s Godchild and so is her younger sister.

Pat had a way of loving both of them, me, John, and was always there with a big open heart.

We may not have always agreed on things, but the honest love and care that she showed with so many people, we can all agree on and remember.

She will be missed and never forgotten.

Yvonne Garratt.

I remember a fun loving and sassy lady who loved her family. Always breaking into a song and encouraging others to sing along! I am lucky to have been included in gatherings with the extended Clarke family; who always make you feel like a part of the family!
Hugs!
Lisa

Memories of San Francisco bay yachting and Las Vegas partying with Pat and Pete will forever be remembered with broad grins and happy stories. RIP dear lady, RIP.

Auntie Pat was such a kind and caring person, she always seemed so calm, gentle and peaceful. Living in different countries meant we didn’t see a lot of each other but we did visit when Uncle Peter and herself lived in their beautiful home in San Rafael. I have so many wonderful memories of that visit. They also visited Australia and my Dad and Mum and our family have memories that can never be taken away. A very special lady loved very much ❤️

First of all there is no way to put into a paragraph of words what Pat meant to me and to my family, they will fall short, way short……….

Pat was an extraordinary wife ,mother, mother in law, grandmother, and friend. I feel so blessed to have known her and to have witnessed her remarkable ability to gently surrender to the flow of life. She was never one to seek the spotlight, or be the center of attention, rather she was more inconspicuous, happy to be ‘in the background’ and yet her presence was immense, filling the room with her quite profound presence. She left a unique and enduring mark on every event and on everyone around her. We know this because she has left a tremendous hole, an emptiness, a void in all our hearts; a hole that can never be filled. No event will be the same without her lovely, delightful, congenial presence. Pat will be deeply and genuinely missed, but she will also be eternally remembered. Her gentle demeanor, her sunny disposition, her utterly charming personality has been and will continue to be a positive influence for me. She was a shining example of a truly wonderful human being. Pat, I hope you knew how much I loved you. I miss you dearly. 

Grandma, I want you to know that you inspired me. Your unwavering joy for life is unparalleled only by your love of family. Going through photos with Grandpa it was evident you brightened every room, and even towards the end of your life, you continued to spread your infectious smile. As the youngest grandchild, I am heartbroken to have only gotten 20 years to spend with you, but I will be forever grateful for the memories and the many lessons you taught me: how to look upon the world with optimism, to be grateful for each and every day, to smile at the little things like the birds chirping in the morning or the rain thudding at night. You were an amazing Grandmother, and I know you will be with me, helping me to shine a light on this wonderful world for another generation. I love you and I will miss you dearly.

Still Swingin' to the oldies! 

Zach and Amanda's Wedding

Dear Mom, How can I thank you enough for being such a wonderful mother? You were so inspirational! I look at all the things you did with your life and think to myself, you did it all. You married a wonderful man and loved him your whole life. You brought my brother and me into the world and raised us, taught us, motivated us, and gave us the strength to start independent lives. Throughout our lives together you always made us feel safe and supported. You opened your home to so many wonderful friends and family and taught me the true meaning of friendship. You ran your own business and made each customer feel special, as if they were the most important person ever. That was your true gift, to encourage those around you and make everyone feel special. You travelled the world and made friends everywhere. Everyone was “Love” and that feeling came through in your words, your actions, and your smile. You loved your garden and all the creatures that visited, finding joy in everything that nature provided. Now, I love and respect the natural world and see you in all of nature’s beauty and wonder. You had room in your heart for everybody and all of nature. Mom, you taught me so much, but most of all, you taught me how to love and be loved. This is the greatest treasure any son could receive. I miss you now but will always carry your love in my heart. Thank you, Mom, I love you forever!

A fine spring day in Pacific Northwest