SHIRLEY EDWARDS CLARK
Shirley Edwards Clark, Age 93, passed away on October 20, 2015 with her two daughters by her side. Shirley was the daughter of Albert K. and Pearl Blaine Edwards.
She was born in Jersey City, NJ and grew up in Hasbrouck Heights, NJ. Her favorite memories were about weekend trips to her grandfather’s farm in Washington, NJ. She loved to tell stories about swimming in the creek during the summer. Shirley married her high school sweetheart, A. Charles Clark (Charlie), on June 28, 1947. They lived in Norwich, NY for over 40 years before relocating to Beach Haven, NJ on Long Beach Island in 1995.
Shirley studied architectural drafting at Cooper Union in New York City. One of her earlier jobs was with Picker x-ray. She also did some freelance work for an architect in Norwich. Most of her life she was a homemaker and a mom. Later in life she became a teacher’s aide in the kindergarten classes at Perry Browne School in Norwich. She loved traveling through out the United States in an RV with Charlie and their dog Thud. Shirley was very creative and her artwork adorned her homes in Norwich and LBI. She was also a warm, loving individual. Everyone she met was touched by her special gift for friendship. She was known as Grammy to many of her grandchildren’s friends who enjoyed spending time at the beach.
Shirley is survived by her daughter, Nancy Clark of New York Mills, NY; daughter and son-in-law, Donna and Scott Smith of Monroeton , PA.; her three grandchildren, Erica Smith, Nicholas Smith, and Alison Smith all of Philadelphia, PA.; her nephew Robert Hansen, her two nieces Carol (Jack) Doyle, Jeanne (Karl) Hinrichs; her great-nephews Lance (Taylor) Hinrichs, Jared Hinrichs, Neil Hinrichs, John Doyle; a great niece Emily Doyle, and her beloved companion, McLovin.
A memorial service will be held in June on LBI during the annual family reunion. Shirley always loved the gathering of the clan. She especially enjoyed spending time with the younger generation and hearing their stories.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Beach Haven First Aid Squad, PO Box 1291, Beach Haven, NJ 08008 or Holy Innocents’ Episcopal Church, 410 South Atlantic, Beach Haven, NJ 08008. Arrangements are under the direction of Bugbee-Riggs Funeral Home, corner of 12th St., Ship Bottom, NJ.