Sandra Clark

Sandra Ann Nelson Clark, 70, of Safford was born to Arnold Leander Nelson and Margit Wessberg Nelson in Mt. Vernon, NY on April 8, 1940. She passed away Monday morning, March 21, 2011 in the Mt. Graham Regional Medical Center. Sandra grew up in Westchester County, NY and graduated from Eastchester HS. She and her family attended the Chester Hill Methodist Church in Mt. Vernon, which had an old pipe organ. This is where she honed her skills and increased her love for playing the organ and piano. Her parents were from Swedish stock, her father being born in Sweden and her mother was born in New York to Swedish parents. A traditional Smorgasbord was a big part of Christmas celebrations in her growing up years. Sandra was an excellent cook, learning most of these skills from her Grandmother. She also learned to crochet, knit, sew, cross stitch and many other arts and crafts. After graduating from high school she worked for Liberty Mutual Insurance Co. in an office just north of the Bronx. She loved to travel and she and her mother took a trip to California, a Caribbean cruise, and a tour of Europe. In 1962 she joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and has spent a lifetime serving in callings in Primary, Young Women and Relief Society including serving as organist, pianist and chorister. In 1963 she married Lee J. Clark and they were sealed for time and all eternity in the LA Temple. They lived in Ithaca, NY and Ames, IA as Lee studied at universities. Then came the adventures of living in Tucupita, Venezuela for about four years, farming in California for eleven years and the rest of her life in Safford. Into their lives came five children: Steve and Leesa were adopted before the family moved to Venezuela; William, Jonathan and David were born in California. Her greatest joy in life was her family. She was a stay-at-home mom and always very much involved in the lives of her children and grandchildren. She was always working on sewing or handiwork projects. Her home is filled with her handiwork. She is survived by her husband and children and many grandchildren and three great grandchildren. She is also survived by a sister Carol Vogeley of Pennsylvania. She was preceded in death by her parents. Funeral Services will be conducted Saturday, March 26, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. in the Safford LDS Stake Center by Bishop Joe Carpenter of the Safford 3rd Ward. The family will receive friends on Saturday from 9 - 9:45 a.m. in the Relief Society Room. Interment will be in the Safford Cemetery.