Carolyn Clark

Obituary of Carolyn J Clark

Carolyn Joy Clark (Begell) of Vestal Carolyn Joy Clark, age 83, of Vestal died at Mercy House on 1/21/25 due to a brief illness. She is predeceased by her parents, Durwood and Mary Begell, her brother, Mark Begell, and her sister, Joan Scott. Carolyn is survived by her children - son, Sean Clark, Endicott NY and daughter, Erin Clark, Endicott NY her sisters, Marlene McNulty (Bill), Endicott NY, Irene Herceg (Mike), Endicott NY, nieces and nephews – Michael Scott, Vestal NY, Laurie Dixon (Darrell Sperbeck), Vestal NY, Matt Herceg (Felicia), Endicott NY, Jeremy Herceg (Kristen), Elizabeth City NC, Eric Herceg, Vestal NY and Regan Michael (Al), Baltimore MD. Also, great-nieces and nephews – Lauren Dixon, Samantha Herceg, Jaden Herceg and Gavin Herceg, her former son-in-law, Steve Ferraro, Vestal as well as her much-loved grand-dogs, Darby, Quinn, and Sonny. She graduated from Vestal High School - Class of '59. She retired after 25+ years at age 72 from Park Outdoor Advertising in Binghamton NY which she described as a job she "just loved". She worked with many people there over the years who kept in touch even after her retirement including Rocky and Liz in the Binghamton office as well as Steve and Fran from the Ithaca office. She was a part of a group of close friends who were known as the "Salad Sisters." This group consisted of: Marilyn Burns, Brenda Ferri, Susan Huff and her sisters Irene and Marlene. If you were out in Endicott "back in the day," you most likely ran into the Salad Sisters. They definitely left their mark. They spent 30+ years taking their annual girl's trip to Ocean City among other wild adventures. She enjoyed picnics at Cayuga Lake with family and friends and cottage vacations at Canandaigua Lake with the whole family. After retirement, she was a fixture on her front porch, her favorite place. She spent many a day or night sitting in her rocking chair, enjoying a cigarette or two, visiting with family and neighbors. Carolyn enjoyed a few hobbies, but her favorite was playing cards. She was an excellent pitch player who participated in different pitch leagues over the years and tournaments whenever she could. She was not so much "lucky" as she was "brave" to bid four on hands that most would not consider worthy of taking a chance on. She loved playing cards and all the people she played with over the years. If she greeted you with a "nickname" or a special adjustment of her glasses, you knew she liked you. Everything was "too funny." She loved shopping and always "dressed to the nines." Growing up, when most moms were buying minivans, she opted for a classic Corvette to shuttle us to school. If we ever had an issue with friends, our advice was to "go get 'em…take no prisoners." You always knew where you stood with her. She never pulled punches. She was brilliantly smart, witty and to know her was to love her. She said towards the end, "We had a good run." She definitely did it her way. At Carolyn's request, there will be no services. She wanted to be remembered as she was in life – full of stories, one-line zingers and a big laugh. Expressions of sympathy in Carolyn's memory may be made to Mercy House of the Southern Tier, 212 McKinley Avenue, Endicott NY 13760. Special thanks to the Mercy House staff and volunteers especially, Kim "her angel." The love and compassion expressed to her and our family during her time there is unmatched.
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