Dorothea S. (Shoemaker) Clark

Dorothea Shoemaker Clark, age 97, died at Elderwood in Liverpool, on Nov. 29, 2018. Her mother- in -law’s friend originated her sobriquet, “Queen”, before she and Richard Clark married in 1944. This was a fitting name for Dorothea as she was a unique woman. A modern woman for her time,she actively & thoughtfully defined her life, valued education, was drawn to intellectual pursuits and ideas, read voraciously, and with a classic-sense of style always dressed well. Dorothea loved to impart her ‘refrigerator philosophy’ to her children with quotes like: “Youth is a gift of nature, middle age is a work of art” or “What you are is God’s gift to you---what you become is your gift to God”. Born March 3, 1921 to Paul and Bessie Shoemaker, Dorothea grew up in Syracuse. Her many ancestors lived-in and supported the community or had direct ties to Syracuse University. Upon graduating from Nottingham High School, Dorothea attended Syracuse University and received a BS from the College of Human Development in 1942. While raising four children and working fulltime, she obtained her Masters in Library Science (1962) also at Syracuse University. Dorothea’s Employment career began with the American Red Cross where she was a social worker in the Home Service Department involving short-term counseling for families and military. Soon after, as Home Economics teacher at Elbridge Central High School, she became that high school’s Librarian. As the Jordan- Elbridge Central School District Library Media specialist for 20years, Dorothea planned and organized the library at the, then, new, JE high school. Being community minded Dorothea was: Chair of the American Red Cross Home Service for western Onondaga county; a 20 year member and Board member of the Syracuse University Library Associates; Board member of the George and Rebecca Barnes Foundation; and a participating member of the Everson Museum of Art Member’s Council chairing the Trip Committee--during which she planned and oversaw 14 trips related to art, all profits benefitting the museum. Throughout her married family life in Elbridge Dorothea was an active member of the Elbridge Community Church. Queenhad a love of books, art, and people. The confluence of these loves led her to support many local artists, and, not surprisingly, she was an Honorary Member of the Social Art Club of Syracuse. True to her sense of adventure, Queen obtained her private pilot’s license at the age of 67. She was Richard’s co-pilot on many flying trips in NYS and beyond. One of Dorothea’s most endearing qualities was her inexhaustible interest in other people that enabled her to make new friends till the end of her life. Dorothea is predeceased by: her husband of 70 years, Richard W. Clark (2015); her son, Thomas Webster Clark (2015); and her daughter, Katherine Anne Clark(2003). Surviving are daughters Elizabeth Greenlee (William); and Julia Clark (Roderick Leung); five grandchildren; Jared Greenlee, Emily Leung, Rebecca (Leung) Dudley, Benjamin Greenlee, and Miriam (Greenlee) Levy and five great grandchildren. The family deeply thanks Janet Reilly and Jenny Zoldak for the years of kind, loving, help & support to the family. Relatives and friends are invited to a service 11am Saturday, June 1st in the Elbridge Community Church, E. Main St. Elbridge. Memorial contributions may be made to the Syracuse University Library or to the Everson Museum of Art.  

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