Victoria Clark Waidner

Victoria Clark Waidner, 77, a life long Annapolis resident, died at Spa Creek Rehab Center on Saturday, July 5, 2014 of myelodysplastic syndrome, a blood cancer. Born in Boston on April 26, 1937 to Grace and Ellery Clark, the family relocated to Annapolis in 1940 when Captain Clark was assigned to the US Naval Academy to teach and coach track and cross country. As a child, Vicky began her life long interest in the arts when she became a student of her mother, Grace, who was a locally prominent ballet instructor. Throughout her youth and young adult years, she danced in a variety of local productions. However, Vicky's true calling was education. A National Honor Society graduate of Annapolis Senior High School, she was inducted into the school's Hall of Fame in 1996. Vicky graduated from the University of Maryland in 1959 with a degree in elementary education which was then followed by a Master's degree in educational administration and supervision. During her 44 year career in the Anne Arundel County Public School system, Vicky spent eight years as a classroom teacher at South Shore Elementary, West Annapolis Elementary, Arnold Elementary, Germantown Elementary and Crofton Elementary schools. She was also assistant principal at Meade Heights Elementary and Harman Elementary schools. In 1973, she was named principal of Annapolis Elementary school. During her 14 years in that post, she spearheaded a successful campaign to save the school when local politicians were lobbying the school system to raze the 19th century building and develop its prime downtown location. Following her years at Annapolis Elementary, Vicky became principal of Mayo Elementary in 1987, a position she held for 19 years. During that time, she led the school to become the country's first National Blue Ribbon School, a designation awarded by the U.S. Department of Education. In 1996, she was a winner of the Washington Post Annual Distinguished Educational Leadership award. Throughout her life Vicky was actively involved in supporting the arts both nationally and locally. A Patron and member of the Metropolitan Opera's Encore Society, she was a long term season ticket holder and never missed attending all the Met's performances. During her extensive travel abroad, Vicky was able to enjoy operas in many of the world's greatest music venues. She was very active in leadership roles in the Annapolis Opera including serving as former vice-president and trustee as well as chairman of the opera's annual Vocal Competition. Vicky also supported the Ballet Theater of Maryland, the Colonial Players, the Bay Theater, the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra, and the Baltimore Opera. She was a former trustee of the Arts Council of Anne Arundel County and in 2009 received the Council's Lifetime Achievement Award. In addition to the cultural arts, Vicky was also a member of many community organizations including Friends of the Annapolis Symphony, the Severn Town Club, the Historic Annapolis Foundation, the Sons of Italy, the Daughters of the American Revolution, the 21st Century Club, the International Club, Zonta, and the Annapolis Yacht Club. Her marriage to H. Frew Waidner III ended in divorce. Vicky was pre-deceased by her parents, Ellery and Grace Clark in 1997, her son, H. Frew "Chip" Waidner, IV in 1986, her son Jonathan Clark Waidner in 1988, and her sister, Susan Elizabeth Clark in 1983. She is survived by her brother, William Ellery Clark, of Annapolis and her niece Katie Melville Clark of Chicago. Friends may call from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday, July 10, 2014 at John M. Taylor Funeral Home, 147 Duke of Gloucester Street, Annapolis, MD. A funeral service will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, July 11th at St. Anne's Episcopal Church, Church Circle, Annapolis. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Anne Arundel Medical Center Foundation, 2001 Medical Parkway, Sajak #500, Annapolis, MD 21401