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Judith Clark

November 28, 1938 - August 30, 2019
Formerly of Kalamazoo, MI

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Visitation

Wednesday, September 4, 2019
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM EDT
Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes
Kalamazoo Location
6080 Stadium Drive
Kalamazoo, MI 49009
(269) 375-2900
Driving Directions

Service

Wednesday, September 4, 2019
11:00 AM EDT
Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes
Kalamazoo Location
6080 Stadium Drive
Kalamazoo, MI 49009
(269) 375-2900
Driving Directions

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

Charity of Your Choice

Flowers


Below is the contact information for a florist recommended by the funeral home.

Ambati
1830 S. Westnedge
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
(269) 349-4961
Driving Directions
Web Site

Life Story / Obituary


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Judith Clark was a special person to many. She found great happiness putting the needs of others ahead of her own and lived a lifetime of selflessly giving of her time and resources to those who needed them most. An animal lover at a young age, Judy was always known to have pets and her most recent companions, Peanut and Charlie Brown were very special to her. Generous beyond measure, she spent many years active in her faith community as well as helping the nuns at the Sisters of Nazarene. Judy had a special knack for making others feel special in her presence. She leaves behind a wonderful collection of memories for her loved ones to cherish forever.

In the year 1938, Orson Welles's radio adaptation of The War of the Worlds was broadcast, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs held its Hollywood premiere, and the New England area was hit with a raging hurricane across the Atlantic Ocean. In Livonia, Michigan, Robert and Virginia (Hamel) Russell welcomed home their newborn daughter, Judith, on November 28th. Her birth brought much joy and happiness to the family home.

Growing up in Mattawan, Michigan, Judy was the oldest and later was joined by her younger brother, Jim. The two of them spent nearly every moment pitching in to help around the family farm. Judy was very much a daddy's girl. She felt valued helping her dad with chores on the farm including taking care of the horses and the chickens and delivering the eggs. One time she went to deliver the eggs and they fell in the back seat. She was mortified of what her dad was going to think but he understood that these things happen from time to time. Adventurous and outgoing, Judy set off for Seattle, Washington, once she graduated from high school. After completing one year of college, she returned home to the Kalamazoo area and accepted a position as an accountant in the downtown area. Hardworking and exceptional with people, Judy landed many jobs throughout her life including managing Hardy Hamburgers, owning a soda bar, and managing the kitchen at the Sisters of Nazarene where she enjoyed taking care of the retired nuns in the area who resided there.

Judy married Bernard (Bud) Clark and together they made a lifetime of raising their children with a strong Catholic faith. As a family, they enjoyed vacationing up north and fishing together in Upper Peninsula. Judy devoted her life to caring for people and her family always came first. Despite her busy schedule, she took time to pay special attention to every detail of both her growing children as well as her business endeavors. Their oldest daughter, Colleen passed away and they lost their Baby Girl, leaving them with their two sons, Robert and Andrew. Judy modeled a strong work ethic and an unshakeable faith for them. Any amount of time she was with her family, her heart was content. She and Bud also enjoyed traveling and in addition to their frequent trips to South Haven to watch the large ships dock along the beach. They also visited the popular Branson, Missouri and took a memorable trip to the Caribbean on a cruise ship! They lived a beautiful life together.

When Bud passed in 2002, Judy leaned on her special family and friends for support. She treasured spending time with her three grandchildren; Stephanie, Jacob, and Aaron as well as socializing with the other seniors at the YMCA where she was known to take up the occasional Zumba and aerobics classes. Hard to believe there was any time for relaxation, yet over the years, Judy gave equally to her commitment for family time as well as fun! She loved completing crossword puzzles, as well as Sudoku. Judy listened to Celtic music and read countless books for enjoyment. Her favorite TV shows were Law and Order, Star Trek and Charmed. It was not uncommon for her to stay up late to catch the late evening news as well.

Above all else, her family knew they could count on her for anything. Caring for others gave her great satisfaction which she modeled beautifully in the care she took of her brother, her husband, her mother, as well as the many nuns at the Sisters of Nazarene. Judy leaves behind a legacy of being generous and always having a special place in her heart for those in need. Blessed by her warm spirit and gentle ways, there is no doubt that she will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by countless friends and family. May they never doubt her steadfast love for each and every one of them.

Judith Clark, age 80, formerly of Kalamazoo, Michigan, died on Friday, August 30, 2019, at Medilodge of Rochester Hills. Members of her family include her two sons: Robert of Kalamazoo and Andrew and wife Roxann of Trenton and three cherished grandchildren: Stephanie, Jacob, and Aaron. Other members of her family include her Aunt Virginia, Uncle Dick and her cousin Colleen and her husband Utah. Funeral services will be held at 11 AM on Wednesday, September 4, 2019, at the Betzler Life Story Funeral Home, 6080 Stadium Drive; Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Judith will be buried in the Genessee Prairie Cemetery. Please visit Judith’s personal web page at www.BetzlerLifeStory.com, where you can archive a favorite memory or photo and sign her online guestbook before coming to the funeral home. To honor her life, memorial donations may be made to a charity of your choice.

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