VERNA GENE CLARK

Verna Gene Clark, 99, went to be with God on Saturday April 12th, passing peacefully in her sleep in the company of family. Gene was born February 6, 1926, in Moravia NY to Alton and Pauline (Ryan) Clark. She attended Cortland State where she graduated with a degree in education then completed her master’s in education at Syracuse University. Gene taught elementary school in Cayuga County before becoming a teacher and eventually retiring as a principal in the Syracuse City School District. After retirement she tried her hand at many different occupations, most notably becoming a storyteller at Mama Bear’s retail shop where her love of teddy bears became a lifelong passion. There she assisted Norma Ganderson, who became her very dear friend, in her shop until it closed in 2003. Gene traveled widely during her lifetime and was involved with many clubs and charities including helping to found and run the Crystal Closet (a resale shop in the now closed Rockefeller Methodist church), the Professional Women’s League, the Onondaga Country Retired Teachers Association and the Syracuse Antiques Club. She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma. Gene was predeceased by her parents, and her sister Andrea (Clark) Girvin (Charlie). Gene is survived by her sister, Joyce Gardner, of Pompton Plains, NJ (formerly of White Plains, NY), and her former brother-in-law, Harry Garner, of Homer, NY, her nephews, Harry Gardner, of Rockville Center, NY, Mark (Banchai) Gardner, of White Plains, NY, David (Michelle) Girvin, of Berlin Heights, OH, Steve (Joyce) Girvin, of Live Oak, FL, and her nieces, Alison (Chris) Thornhill, of Pompton Lakes, NJ, Elaine (Stephen) Sears, of Cortland, NY, Ann (Greg) Gooch, of Cary, NC and Carol (Aaron) King, of Alden, NY. She is also survived by her “foster” daughter, Marie Hotaling, and Marie’s children, Elizabeth Bury, Joanne Cox, and was predeceased by Eileen (Frank) Reid and Daniel Hotaling. In addition, she is survived by a great number of grand and great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and innumerable very dear and special friends, students, and loved ones who have made her last months all the more special through their calls, visits, and cards sent while she was convalescing from a recent medical event. Gene’s exuberance and her zest for life was a joy to be around, and she will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her. Family and friends may call from 4:00 – 7:00 PM Thursday, April 17, 2025 at BAGOZZI TWINS FUNERAL HOME, 2601 Milton Ave, Solvay, NY 13209. Funeral services will be held 10:30 AM Friday April 18, 2025 at BAGOZZI TWINS FUNERAL HOME. Private burial will be in New Hope Cemetery, New Hope, NY. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Humane CNY. Please share online memories and tributes at www.bagozzitwins.com.

VERNA GENE CLARK

February 6, 1926 - April 12, 2025