Birth: Dec. 5, 1941 Profession: Dec. 8, 1972 Death: Jan. 20, 2009
Dorothy Clark, RSCJ, an educator who actively ministered in Africa, died January 20, 2009 at de Greeff Hospice House in St. Louis.
Sister Clark entered the Society of the Sacred Heart at Kenwood, Albany, New York on September 8, 1963, and took her final vows on December 8, 1972, in Nkozi, Uganda, after spending a period of preparation there. Her love for the people of the region continued throughout her life. She spoke Kiswahili and ministered in Uganda and Kenya from 1973 to 1983 and from 1986 to 1992. Sister Clark taught school, did pastoral work, and conducted retreats and spiritual seminars. Upon her return to the United States, she served as a hospital chaplain at St. John’s Mercy Hospital in St. Louis until shortly before her death. Sister Clark was born December 5, 1941, in St. Louis, Missouri. Her parents were George A. Clark and Dorothy Bussen Clark; her only sister, Georgia Clark Zimmerman, lives in St. Louis, and her only brother, George Clark, lives in Columbus, Ohio. Sister Clark received her B. Sci. degree in Chemistry from Maryville College and a Masters degree in Pastoral Studies from Loyola University. She attended St. John’s High School in St. Louis and was later certified to teach high school science, music and math in the state of Missouri. She taught science, math and music at the Academy of the Sacred Heart in St. Charles from 1968 to 1972. A Memorial Mass for Sister Clark was held at the Shrine of St. Philippine Duchesne, 619 North Second Street, St. Charles, MO, on Saturday, February 21, at 5:30 PM. Memorial contributions may be made to the Society of the Sacred Heart, 4120 Forest Park Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63108.