Florence Clark

Florence Steele Clark, 61, of Hamden died Wednesday, Dec 14, 2011 in Boston MA, after a long and courageous battle with leukemia. She is predeceased by her husband, Robert J. Clark (2000), her mother, Frances Steele, and her father. Flo's maternal ancestry traces back to the Gaudio and Ludovico families from Faicchio, Italy. Florence was born in New Haven and lived in that area most of her life. She was retired from Bayer Pharmaceuticals of West Haven, CT, having worked for the Information Technology Help Desk. She was a graduate of Hillhouse High School and Albertus Magnus College and also took graduate courses at Fairleigh Dickinson University. Florence is survived by daughters Maria Clark Gledhill of Rockville, MD and Alicia Clark Coderre of Northborough, MA. She has 4 grandchildren: Owen, Avery, Grace and Victoria who filled her life with joy. Flo was one of a family of five siblings: Robert Steele of Charlton, MA, Maria Steele of Newton, MA, Jeannette Esposito of Ipswich, MA and Phyllis Procter of Acton, MA. She also leaves behind her cherished cousin and life-long friend, Constantine Ludovico of Hamden, CT as well as a foster brother, Fred Morgillo of West Haven, CT. In good times and bad, Flo was a shining example of how to live life. She knew the importance and value of human relationships, of kindness and compassion. She opened her home to family and friends, often hosting a small get-together or a large party on a whim. Everyone would pitch in to help out. It aways worked and everyone felt welcome! "It's a party!" was her motto. Flo would not hesitate to befriend complete strangers and brighten their day simply by giving them a bit of her time. Recipes were often exchanged while shopping... "and what do you make with that spice?," or advice might be given at a doctor's office, "did you know that a soap bar under bed sheets will stop leg cramps?" Flo and her family volunteered for numerous service agencies. In 2005, Flo opened her home to foreign exchange students from Mexico and South Korea. "Up With People", Tibetan monks, and foster children from Highland Heights also enjoyed her hospitality. Flo loved children, and her place was the "home away from home" for nieces, nephews and others. Throughout her illness Flo reached out. In the Intensive Care Unit, barely able to communicate, Flo made sure the nurses and doctors met her family and that visitors were accommodated. Flo was always thinking of others. Flo suffered from atypical CML (Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia). She began her treatment at Smilow Cancer Center in New Haven and was referred to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. Her sister, Maria, along with her husband Peter, provided loving care in their Newton, MA home since May. Flo needed numerous transfusions of red blood cells and platelets. These donations kep her alive, while awaiting a bone marrow transplant. Her family would like to thank all blood and platelet donors, as well as the bone marrow donor, all of whom helped a complete stranger. The family is requesting that in lieu of flowers, donations in Florence's honor be made to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Jimmy Fund (www.jimmyfund.org or P.0. Box 849168 Boston MA 02284-9168), The American Red Cross or New Haven's Smilow Cancer Hospital-Hematology Program(PO Box 1649, New Haven, Ct. 06508). A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday at l0:00 am in St. Rita Church 1620 Whitney Ave. Hamden. Friends may call Thursday from 4 to 8 pm in Sisk Brothers Funeral Home 3105 Whitney Ave. Hamden.

Florence Clark

December 23, 1949 - December 14, 2011