LaVena Clark

Bainbridge Island resident LaVena Clark, 88, died Aug. 15 at her daughter’s home in Fort Clark Springs, Brackettville, Texas.

She was born Oct. 10, 1915, in Hamilton, Ill., to George A. and Anna E. (Mays) Cosgrove.

On May 30, 1937, she married Loren E. Clark in Warsaw, Ill.

She was a teacher at St. Vincent’s School in Keokuk, Iowa, and retired in 1983 as a second grade teacher at Hamilton Elementary. She spent many years as organist for St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Hamilton.

In 1984, she and her husband moved to Billings, Mont., where they managed Laurel Gardens Apartments. She volunteered as a Pink Lady at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Billings and was active with the Billings Symphony Associates.

Following her husband’s death in June, 1994, she continued to reside in Billings and enjoyed dividing her time between the homes of her children. She was a member of St. Thomas Catholic Church in Billings.

In 2000, she moved to Bainbridge Island where she was a member of St. Cecilia Catholic Church and the Visually Impaired Persons organization.

“Beana,” as she was affectionately known by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, is survived by four children: Nancy Simmons (Jerry) of Bainbridge Island; Lynn McNew (Tom) of Fort Clark Springs, Texas; Douglas Clark of Bainbridge Island; and Dennis Clark (Sandy) of Hamilton; grandchildren Clay Simmons, Brad Simmons, Andrea Simmons Cyphers, Jami Simmons Au, Tom McNew, Tami McNew, Tim McNew, Angela Clark Kinney, Jessica Clark Steinkuhler, Lou Clark, Terri Clark Helm, and Jason Clark; and 20 great-grandchildren, three nieces and two nephews.

She was preceded in death by her brothers, Hubbard and Russell Cosgrove.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Aug. 21 at St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church in Brackettville, with Father Cornelius Scanlan presiding. The Rite of Committal will be celebrated at Oakwood Cemetery, Hamilton, on Aug. 25, with Deacon Bill Gray presiding.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of Del Rio, Texas, the American Cancer Society, Hamilton Elementary School Library or a charity of the donor’s choice.

Arrangements are by Humphrey-Doran Funeral Home, Del Rio, and Lamporte Funeral Home, Hamilton.