Patricia Aldine Clark

Patricia Yancer was born June 6, 1934 in Saginaw, Michigan to Frank Edward Yancer and Erna Salesky Yancer. When she was a young girl, her family moved to Wenatchee but ultimately settled in Spokane where she attended Rogers High School. A member of the Girl’s Glee Club, French and Latin Club, History Club, and National Honor Society, she graduated in 1952 with her future husband, Dennis Jay Clark.

She graduated from Eastern Washington College of Education in 1957 with a Bachelor of Arts in Education, having received a scholarship as a top student during her senior year. She took a teaching assignment at Bemiss Elementary but her teaching career was curtailed after she and Dennis married on August 9, 1957, her parent’s anniversary. Dennis had put himself through Eastern Washington State College on an Army ROTC scholarship. When she accepted his marriage proposal he gave her the option of getting married before he left for the service or after he returned. Thankfully, she married him before.

Dennis’ 20 year Army career took the couple all over the country and overseas – California, Georgia, Kansas, New Jersey, Turkey, Germany and Washington D.C. Patricia returned home to Spokane with her sons during Dennis’ service in Vietnam to be nearer to family.

When Dennis retired from the Army in 1977 they again returned to Spokane. They were active members of Audubon Park United Methodist Church, rarely missing a Sunday service or potluck supper. They were regulars at the Town & Country and El Rio restaurants.

Throughout her life, Pat was an enthusiastic volunteer. She served as den mother for her elder son’s scout troop, election worker at her local polling place, and perennial room mother at Finch Elementary, even after her younger son moved on to Glover Junior High. She also had a vigorous social life as a longtime member of TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) and several church groups.

After Dennis died in 1998, Pat remained in her home in Spokane until age and mobility challenges required her to move into assisted living. She chose to move to Texas to be near her elder son but returned to Spokane, her true home, a few years later. She resided at Maplewood Gardens for over 15 years, where she enjoyed the company of friends and visits and outings with her family.

Pat loved Spokane and had an uncanny ability to recall what “used to be there” as the city grew and changed over the years. She frequently took family and community news to the Spokesman-Review and Spokane Daily Chronicle, which published notable updates on the activities of the Vietnam Wives Club, Dennis’ Army career, and even an 18-inch rainbow trout caught at Round Lake on opening day by her younger son.

Pat was preceded in death by her beloved husband Dennis, siblings Donna Chandler, Frank Yancer, Marvin Yancer, and Marilyn Zufall, all of Spokane, as well as numerous dear friends, as happens when one lives to be 89. She is survived by sister Ida Smiley of Deer Park, sons Dennis Clark of Groveton, Texas and Thomas Clark of Decatur, Georgia, granddaughter Marie Clark of Arlington, Texas, grandson Wesley Clark of Groveton, Texas and numerous beloved nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Service will be held in the spring. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in Pat’s name to the Spokane Humane Society.