Obituary of Anne Elizabeth Clarke

Anne Elizabeth Clarke, 100, of North Cape May, matriarch of a large family and long time member of the Eastern Star; passed away peacefully on Monday, December 26, 2011 at Victoria Manor Nursing & Rehabilitation Center. In 1929 at age 17, she married Frederick Bloesch and had two children, a daughter Anne in 1931 and a son Frederick ten years later. Her husband died after the start of World War II in 1942, and as a widow she secured a position assembling aircraft communications equipment with Bendix Aviation in Philadelphia. Shortly after the war in 1947, Mrs. Clarke married Royal Ewing Clarke and subsequently had a third child Karen in 1949. During this period of her life and for many years thereafter, she was an active member of the Gloria Chapter Order of the Eastern Star. Working her way "through the chairs" from 1947 to 1997; she became Most Worthy Matron in 1961. After living and working for many years in Philadelphia, Mrs. Clarke and her husband Roy continued living in South Philadelphia in retirement. In 1976 they moved to Villas, NJ; where they were extremely active in the church. They enjoyed an idyllic existence until Mr. Clarke's death in 1989. Mrs. Clarke continued to live in Villas for 10 years until she entered Victoria Commons Assisted Living in North Cape May in 2001. Survivors include three children: Anne Marr of North Cape May, Fred Bloesch of Philadelphia, and Karen Smith of Loveville, MD.; six grandchildren; and nine great grandchildren. There will be a funeral service at 10:30 AM on Friday, December 30, 2011 at the Evoy Funeral Home, 3218 Bayshore Rd, North Cape May, NJ; where friends may call from 10:00 to 10:30 AM. Interment will be at 1:30 PM at Lawnview Cemetery, 500 Huntingdon Pike, Rock Ledge, PA. The family suggests donations in Anne's memory to Holy Spirit Lutheran Church, 1220 Bayshore Rd, Villas, NJ 08251.