May Belle Clark (Cobb)

Calais, Brewer,and Gorham – May Belle Clark, joined her husband in Heaven on Tuesday, November 2, 2016 with her family by her side at Mercy Hospital in Portland. May Belle was born in Calais on December 19, 1930, daughter of Dr. Norman and Ruth (Knapp) Cobb. She graduated from Calais Memorial High School, Class of 1948, and from University of Maine at Orono in 1952, where she majored in Home Economics and Elementary Education. On August 16, 1952, she married the love of her life, Harley Clark Jr. They remained happily married for the next 58 years.

May Belle started her teaching career at Woodland Elementary School, where she taught for 4 years. She transferred to the Calais School system as a First Grade and later became the High School Home Economics teacher. While at the high school she was instrumental in starting the Childcare Preschool Program. Especially precious to her was the opportunity to have many of her grandchildren begin their educational foundation in her preschool program. Among other activities, she served for many years as the cheerleading advisor, senior class graduation coordinator and class advisor. After her fulfilling 35 year teaching career, she retired in 1990.

May Belle’s Christian Faith was a real and ever-present part of her life. She attended Second Baptist Church in Calais, Advent Christian Church in Milltown, and Bangor Baptist Church. At each church, she enjoyed singing in the choirs, performed solos, duets and trios. During her time at the 2nd Baptist Church, she was part of the church’s weekly radio ministry on WQDY with Dr. Ginn. She sang as a member of that ministry with Connie Walton and Arlo Ginn. While living in Florida, she and Harley enjoyed many years of traveling and performing concerts as members of their church’s Gospel choir at various churches throughout Florida and other southern States.

May Belle was a member of Orion Chapter #45 Order of the Eastern Star in Calais, and served as Mother Advisor for the local Rainbow Girls. In the 1980s she started the West Point Parents Association of Maine. While serving as president, she provided relevant information and coordinated actives for the parents of West Point Cadets from the State of Maine.

During her retirement years, she and Harley wintered in Lake Wales, FL and on St. Simons Island, GA. Together, they enjoyed going to church Gospel concerts, golfing, and traveling with their Florida friends. Their travel exploits included cruises through the Panama Canal and climbing Dimond Head Volcano in Hawaii.

In addition to her parents, May Belle was predeceased by her beloved husband, Harley Clark Jr. and sister, Barbara Cobb Madden. Surviving May Belle are her four children, Teresa Clark Cassidy and her husband Edmund Cassidy, of St. Simons Island, Georgia, Glen D. Clark and his wife, Kristina of Gorham, Lori Clark Frost and her husband, James Frost, of Brewer, Harley Walter (Wally) Clark and his wife, LaVonne, of Windham. May Belle is survived by her 10 beloved grandchildren. Ryan Cassidy and his wife, Carrie, of Brewer, Erin Cassidy Lawson and her husband, Will of San Antonio, Texas, Meghan Cassidy Joca and her husband, Stephan (Buddy) of Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, Chelsea Clark of San Diego, California, Alyssa Clark of Scarborough, James Frost Jr. and Jenna of Windham, Katie Franzoni and her husband Matthew of Windham, and Andrew Frost of Valdosta, Georgia, Austin Clark and wife Jamie of Windham, Alex Clark of Fort Benning, Georgia; her 11 much-loved greatgrandchildren, Courtney, Chase, Tyler, Conner, Jacob, Stephen, John, Parker, Carly, Landon, and Ellis; and her sisters-in-law Joyce St. Pierre, Eleanor Clark, Gloria Clark and Kay Clark.

The family would like to extend their deepest appreciation to the loving and compassionate staff at the Inn at Village Square in Gorham for the excellent care given to May Belle during her time there. Special thanks to the outstanding staff at Mercy, who provided May Belle and the family comfort, spiritual support and peace during her final days. Thanks, also, to the many doctors, medical support staff, and family friends, especially Merlene, who provided excellent care and support for May Belle while in she was in Brewer and Gorham. And, a very special thanks to the Aging Excellence staff members, Jackie and Valerie, who took the extra effort and time to care for May Belle. In lieu flowers please make donations to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PCAN). Donations may be sent in memory of May Belle to the following address: PCAN 1500 Rosecans Ave, Suite 200, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266, Or www.pcan.org

A celebration of May Belle’s life will be held 1 p.m. Saturday, November 5, 2016 at Second Baptist Church, 21 Church St., Calais. Burial will follow in Calais Cemetery. Arrangements by Mays Funeral Home, Calais & Eastport.

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