Patricia Louise Clarke

Our sweet mother, Patricia Louise Clarke, passed away on July 25, 2026 in Lindon, Utah. She was 90 years old. Pat was born in Kansas to Cecil and Ila Bowers and was the oldest of two children. She had a younger brother, Don. She was known as Patty Lou when she was young. Pat grew up in Wellington, Kansas (where her father’s family had been since 1870); Colorado Springs, Colorado; and San Diego, California. She loved the mountains of Colorado and the beaches of San Diego. From early childhood she developed a love of learning that continued her whole life. She loved to sing and dreamed of being an opera singer when she was a girl. She sang in several choirs in school and with the Robert Shaw Chorus for Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Starlight Opera in San Diego. She graduated from San Diego State College in 1958 with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. Pat taught 2nd grade at Balboa Elementary and Central Elementary in San Diego, California and 3rd grade in Littleton, Colorado. She always talked about how much she loved teaching children. Faith was always a big part of Pat’s life. As a senior in high school, she was reading a book for English class called The Robe by Lloyd C. Douglas. She asked someone in class if they knew of any book of scripture besides the Bible. Someone said, “Have you heard of the Book of Mormon?” She had not. Continuing to prepare for the book report, she got a library copy of the Book of Mormon and a history of Joseph Smith. Her boyfriend at the time was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, so she asked him if she could attend church with his family. They took her to church and gave her a subscription to the Improvement Era magazine. The history of the Book of Mormon was the magazine’s theme for the year. She connected the Book of Mormon with her interest in archaeology and continued to study it. She also attended the investigator’s class at church for a couple of years. But it wasn’t until she was in college that she was baptized a member of the Church. She taught many Sunday School, Primary, Young Women, and Relief Society classes during her life and was a diligent visiting teacher. Pat fell head over heels in love with Bob Clarke after being set up on a blind date. She often said he let her choose the movie on the date and she chose a French film with subtitles, but he fell in love with her anyways. They were engaged four weeks later. Pat and Bob were married on June 23, 1961 in the Los Angeles Temple. They eventually became the proud parents of five “squirrely” girls. Together they enjoyed many camping trips with their children and friends seeing much of the western states. As a couple they also traveled to Washington D.C., Pennsylvania, Virginia, Mexico, Hawaii, England, the Netherlands, and Germany. Pat LOVED family history and spent over 65 years researching her ancestors. She taught many people how to do genealogy at the FamilySearch Library and BYU. She also did research for many cousins and friends. She was able to trace her ancestors and Bob’s back to the 17th century in America and her work was impeccable. Pat is survived by her 5 daughters: Kelly (Brady) Fisher, Christy (Marshall) Fullwood, Diana (Jeff) Davis, Maria (Pete) Giforos, and Amy (Chad) Garrick; 19 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. Interment will be at the Eastlawn Memorial Cemetery in Provo, Utah next to her favorite person, Bob Clarke. Our family would like to thank her many caregivers, they are angels. Please share memories and condolences at www.serenityfhs.com.

Patricia Louise Clarke

September 2, 1935 - July 25, 2026