Benita Clark

Born on October 1, 1933, died on January 29, 2018. Benita was born in Villanueva, New Mexico. She was preceded in death by her parents, Jesus and Maria and by her siblings John, Luis, Benito, and Celine. She is survived by John, her loving husband of forty-six years. She is also survived by brothers and sisters Angela, Joe, Agnes, and Frank and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, relatives and dear friends. Benita was a member of the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother Order [SSM] for nineteen years. During this time, she served as a teacher, principal and school supervisor in Pennsylvania, New Mexico and Wisconsin. She obtained her undergraduate degree from Mt Mary University and advanced degrees from Marquette University. She was the Director of Educational Services at the Jewish Vocational Service [now Milwaukee Center for Independence, MCFI] and a board member of United Migrant Opportunity Services [UMOS] and The Council for the Spanish Speaking. Though never having children of her own, she was a mother, teacher, and mentor to thousands of students. She established the first bi-lingual program for Spanish-speaking disabled students in the Milwaukee Public School System where she worked for nineteen years. Benita was an active, involved member of the American Association of University Women, Milwaukee Branch, where she was President for the years 2009-2011. Under her leadership, the AAUW Milwaukee Branch published its history-Women Making a Difference 1894-2012. After her retirement, Benita plunged headlong into the world of volunteering. She together with her husband John coordinated the Day activity program (DAC), at St. Paul's Episcopal Church. This program was a weekly program of fellowship, socialization and a noon meal. She did this for eleven years. She also volunteered with children at the Boerner Botanical Gardens through the different seasons of the year. She was a reading coach at the Rawson elementary school for seven years. Benita was a regular patron and season ticket holder for the MSO, The Rep, The Milwaukee Art Center and The Florentine Opera. Special thanks to Nurse Julie, Vina, and the staff at Horizon Hospice, as well as Kendra from Amada Health Care Service for their compassionate care. Also many thanks to the caring friends and neighbors at Alexian Village and St Paul's Episcopal Church. Memorial Services will be held at Alexian Village Chapel, 9301 N 76th Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Saturday, February 17, 2018. Visitation from noon to 1pm with Service at 1pm, reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing to a charity of your choice which will make our world a more just, fair and stable place for all the earth's people. Burial will be private at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery.