Mary Jane Clark

Mary Jane “Tessie” Clark (age 90) went home to be with her Lord Jesus on March 6, 2015 in Spokane, WA. She was born August 15, 1924 to Raymond and Jenny Tessitore in East Mauch Chunk, PA, (now known as Jim Thorpe, PA). In 1942 Mary graduated from East Mauch Chunk High School, and at the age of 19 moved to Pottstown, PA. She was employed at Western Union and later at the Pottstown Mercury. In 1961 Mary moved to Bremerton, WA where she worked for the Bremerton Sun until retiring in 1989. Following her retirement she enjoyed volunteering at the Naval Hospital in Bremerton. Mary enjoyed playing her Hammond organ, and loved dancing. She also enjoyed traveling, taking walks, being with and helping people, as Mary knew no strangers. In 2008 she moved to Harbor Crest Retirement Community in Spokane to be close to her son and daughter-in-law. In Spokane she attended Park Heights Baptist Church, where she loved worshipping her Lord Jesus. Mary was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Byron E. Clark. She is survived by her son, Ray Mengel and wife Pam in Spokane; her sister, Pauline Bokeko and husband Vince in Jim Thorpe, PA; a niece, Janet, two nephews, Vincent and James, two great-nephews, Matthew and Mark and a great-niece, Tara. At Mary’s request no public service will be held. The family wishes to thank the staff at both Harbor Crest Retirement Community and Hospice of Spokane for their wonderful care. Memorial contributions may be made to the local Alzheimer’s chapter.