Patricia R. Clark

Pat Redmond Clark Patricia Anne Redmond Clark - nurse, educator, counselor, administrator, mother of 8 and grandmother/great-grandmother to many more - died Sunday, Oct. 23 at the age of 90. Pat was born Oct. 16, 1932 in Norwich, NY, the eldest child of William and Anne Daly Redmond. She was Binghamton North High School's Most Brilliant Girl for the Class of 1950 and the 1953 senior class president at St. Joseph’s Hospital School of Nursing in Elmira. She married Howard Clark in 1954. They lived in Elmira and later moved to Horseheads when their house wasn't big enough to hold all of the kids. Pat went back to school to get her bachelor's degree from Mansfield University and missed her graduation in 1969 because it was her due date for her last child (who didn't show up for another month). She earned a master's degree from Elmira College in 1978. Much of her career was spent at St. Joseph's Hospital, where she worked as a floor nurse, supervisor, nursing school instructor, and assistant director of nursing. She helped launch the Elmira Psychiatric Center and was a clinical instructor at Corning Community College. In the early 80s she co-founded the local chapter of Compassionate Friends. Pat also worked as a hospice nurse, addiction counselor, and CASA advocate. Pat's approach to life was often no-nonsense and matter-of-fact; her wit and wicked sense of humor endeared her to many, especially later in life. Pat is survived by children, Mary Anne (Bob) Bly, Margaret Williams, Bill (Olga) Clark, and Amy (Ed) Bond; son-in-law Jere Wigsten; grandchildren Melinda Frycek, Kelly (Trey) Harrison, Joshua (Nancy) Allen, Timothy (Sarah Vosburgh) Bly, Erin (Brandon) Ice, Matthew (Patty) Clark, Michael Clark, Lucas Allen, Shannon (Paul Deiley) Williams, Christopher (Aja Willette) Williams, Sarah (Justin) VanTassel, Evan (Carleigh) VanOsdol, Bradley (Jenna) Wigsten, Rachel (Matthew) Varner, Brianna VanOsdol, Alexis VanOsdol, Jack Bond, Serena VanOsdol, and Liam Bond (wow, Mom - look at what you started); brother Peter Redmond; numerous great-grandchildren, along with nieces, nephews, cousins (honestly, we've lost count). She was predeceased by her husband, children Gerald, Elizabeth, Daniel, and Kathleen Clark Wigsten, son-in-law Dale Allen, her parents, and siblings Jacquelyn and William. Calling hours will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 1, and a celebration of her life will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2 at James D. Barrett Funeral Home, 1004 Lake Street, Elmira. There will be a luncheon following the Wednesday service. The family asks in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to CASA of the Southern Tier.