Mary Elizabeth Clark

Mary Elizabeth Clark: “Suzi” to family and friends, quietly passed away surrounded by her loving family at age 82 while at home in Lakeside, CA on April 14, 2022, she had suffered from Parkinson’s Disease.

She was born October 6, 1939, to “Josef” Meinrad Tschumperlin and Mary Ellen Briden Tschumperlin. Mary’s father, Josef had immigrated to San Diego from Schwyz, Switzerland to work in the dairy industry, and her mother, Mary Ellen Briden was born in San Diego.

Mary was the first of three children born to Mary Ellen and Josef. The Tschumperlin family home was also open to foster children. Mary grew up on a working farm in El Cajon where she learned to ride horses and care for various farm animals. Mary attended Cajon Valley Middle School and El Cajon High School. In high school, Mary participated in band, orchestra, dance, and served on the Student Council. She was a baccalaureate graduate in 1957. Mary continued her education at San Diego State University (SDSU), where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Education from SDSU and later went on to earn a Master of Arts degree in Education from USIU (National University); with emphasis in Research Methods in Learning Theory Model Development and Education; and Research Methods in Reading Theory. Further, Mary earned a certification as a Master Teacher in Title 1 and became a renowned skilled reading interventionist. She pledged a sorority and after college continued as a member of Zeta Alpha and Beta Sigma Phi – Psi Omicron Chapter. Mary made life-long friendships that she treasured.

While still in college Mary married Philip Clark August 12, 1961. In 1963, Mary and Phil had the first of three children, Don, Tricia, and Becky. The children kept Mary (and Phil) busy in the Lakeside community as they all participated in Sagebrush 4H Club and later in the El Capitan Future Farmers of America (FFA). Education and agriculture were the focus of the Clark household. Mary enjoyed when everyone was gathered around her table or helping at various community events. Mary absolutely loved being a wife, a mother, and a grandmother.

For over 34 years, Mary devoted herself to teaching. She taught in the El Cajon Unified School District for 2 years after her college graduation. She spent most of her teaching career at Lakeside Union School District (LSUSD), she was recognized for her outstanding teaching skills instructing first and second grade classes in the “Bomb Shelter “at Lakeside Farms Elementary and ending her career as a Title 1 reading intervention Teacher at OLPH (Our Lady of Perpetual Help) Catholic School.

Mary’s life was very full as her interests included traveling, horses, Rodeo, puzzles, crochet, knitting, photography, scrap booking, reading, playing the piano and guitar, teaching her grandchildren to play musical instruments, playing Bunco with friends, working on the New York Times crossword puzzles, board games, cards and her ultimate favorite past time was spending time with her grandchildren.

Mary spent 26 years as a volunteer member of the Lakeside nonprofit El Capitan Stadium Association (ECSA), commonly called The Lakeside Rodeo. Mary was always quick to step up and offer help, lending her hands and her smile to every event. Eventually, Mary took on the Rodeo Ticket Chairperson title.

If you knew Mary in any capacity, as family, as friend, as sorority sister, as a co-worker, as a teacher, as a volunteer, as The Ticket Chairperson, you were truly blessed to know one of the most genuine, loving, intelligent, and giving people. Mary’s smile, her laugh, her gentle nature, will be deeply missed.

Mary is survived by her loving husband of 60 years, Phil Clark. Also, by her son Don Clark, wife Lorraine with children Ben and Molly; daughter Tricia Perez, husband Tony with children Nick and Amber; and daughter Becky Wright, husband Greg with children Annika and Sydney; Siblings, her sister Ruby Adams, her brother Bill Tschumperlin, her sister Paulette Johnson, and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, Mary requested donations to her much loved:

El Capitan Stadium Association

PO Box 602,

Lakeside California, 92040

Please mark your remembrance with, “In Memory of Mary Clark