Maureen "Renee" Clark

Maureen (Renee) Theresa Gross Clark, age 78, of Port Orange, Inverness and Lindenhurst, passed away on Monday, January 20, 2020. Renee was born to the late John and Katherine Gross on April 21, 1941. She was the youngest of 15 siblings.

Renee grew up in Lakeview, NY. She moved out of her childhood home at the young age of 16 and lived independently until she met her late husband George Conklin Clark, at the age of 17. It was love at first dance. In Renee’s own words, she fell in love with George the night that they met and they were married on February 20, 1960. Renee was 19 years old.

It was George and Renee’s dream to have a big family and they started having children shortly after they were married. Renee became a homemaker, tending and caring for their home and their children, while George worked hard to support their growing family. By the age of 27, Renee had 5 children and at that time they knew their family was complete. Once the children were school age Renee began working as a school bus driver to help support their family.

Renee and George built their lives in Lindenhurst, NY, and lived there for 43 years before retiring and relocating to Inverness, Florida.

Renee is survived by five children – George Clark of Deltona, FL, Catherine Burnett of North Babylon, NY, Richard Clark of Port Orange, FL, Michael Clark of Palm Coast, FL, and Timothy Clark of Farmingdale, NY. She is also survived by four daughters in laws, one son in law, ten grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Renee was a wonderful mother; her children would say the best. She raised them to be confident, self-assured, respectful, and loyal. The neighborhood kids used to say that they wished she was their mom. She was also the fun mom playing baseball, red light green light and Simon says. The front yard of Renee’s Lindenhurst home had no grass, because it was constantly filled with happy, laughing children.

She made all of her children feel special. She called all of her son’s, “my handsome son.” They soon realized she said it to all of them. She did not discriminate, she loved all her children whole heartedly and in equal measure. She was more than their mother, she was their best friend.

Renee was a firecracker. Her fearless nature made her a force to be reckoned with. She had a very difficult childhood, but did not dwell on the negativity of the past. Instead she would share fond memories of playing with her sister Pat or looking up to her older brothers.

Renee was a straight shooter. She said what she meant and meant what she said. She was funny and had the most infectious laugh. She was adored by her family and friends and will be deeply missed.

Some of Renee’s favorite sayings:

To the grandkids: “Are you married yet? When are you going to get married? When are you going to give me a grandbaby?”

To her husband: “Georgie.” You handsome devil!

To her grandkids: “What do you mean you got A’s on your report card – I want to see D’s and F’s.”

To anyone and everyone: “I like that shirt, take it off and give it to me.” “What are you eating? That looks good, give me some of that.”

Favorite saying: “Come here you little Shit.”

Or “Shita, Shita, Shita…….”

To her family: “you little creep”

She taught most of her children and grandchildren how to play a card game called “Oh Hell.” She would call for 5 wins with no trump cards in her hand. Taking everyone out….. Everyone loved playing with her. For new boyfriends and girlfriends learning this game would mean you were inducted into the family.

Renee loved life-she lived every day without regret. She traveled the world and took road trips around the United States. Camping with her family was her favorite thing to do. She made many friends along her travels, because people were drawn to her light.

To Renee family meant everything. She was the matriarch of her family, a rock for anyone who needed support and a soft place to land when you needed comfort. She loved her husband George with a fierce intensity, that did not fade through the passage of time. The world was a better place because she was in it and her vivacity will live on in her children and grandchildren.

Please join us in Celebrating her life on Sunday January 26, 2020, at 2:00 – 4:00 pm and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Dignity – Volusia Memorial Funeral Home – Port Orange 4815 Clyde Morris Blvd, Port Orange, FL 32129. Funeral at 10 a.m., Monday, January 27, 2020. at the Cape Canaveral National Cemetery in Mims FL.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.VolusiaMemorialFuneral.com for the Clark family.