Ruth H. Clark

Albany - Ruth Ellen Hess Clark, 81, formerly of Franklinville, NY passed away peacefully in her sleep on February 8, 2017. The daughter of the late Elmer and Blanche Hess of Great Valley, New York, Ruth was born on October 22, 1935 in Salamanca, NY. She was raised in Kill Buck, NY and married in 1956 in Salamanca to Dale Harvey Clark. She and her husband lived in many places in New York throughout their lives together including, East Randolph, Jamestown, Kennedy, Holland, Canton, Franklinville, Gallupville, and Albany.

She was predeceased by Dale, her loving husband of sixty years, who passed away on December 8th 2016. She is survived by their five children, their spouses and nine grandchildren: Beth and Wayne Emory of Berne, NY and their children Kaitlyn Emory of Schenectady, NY and Samuel and Nicole Emory of Melrose, Massachusetts; Amy Clark of Brooklyn, NY; Johanna and David Eliot of Centreville, Virginia and their children Margaret and Andrew; Matthew Clark and his daughters Ella and Norah Beth of Seymour, Tennessee and his daughter Zoe Flenniken of Knoxville, Tennessee; Meg and Henry Michell of Jenkintown, Pennsylvania and their sons Aiden and Oliver. She is also survived by her sister Harriet Hess, North Tonawanda, NY and her nephew Joseph Edward Ball of The Woodlands, Texas. She was predeceased by her sisters, Allie Ball of Allegany, NY and Freya Fuller of Kill Buck, NY.

Ruth graduated from high school and went to dental hygienist school in Buffalo, NY and worked for many years in Franklinville, NY. However, she truly shined in her roll at home. She selflessly tended to her family's needs, and was always available to help mend a split seam or broken heart. In addition to being the emotional center of her family, she was a talented and resourceful cook, known for her "secret" recipes, extensive canning projects, taffy pulling adventures, and homemade maple syrup that she "volunteered" her children to boil down from garbage pails of sap. Known for adding "a pinch" of this and "seasoning to taste" she had the power to make any occasion memorable with incredible meals that her family, regrettably, still fails to imitate today. Perhaps most impressive was her ability to prepare all of these meals on a Coleman stove while driving across the country with 5 unruly children and a husband who refused to pull over every half hour.

Ruthie and Dale were enthusiastic travelers, camping across much of the US and Canada first with their children, and later together. She led numerous campfire songs and card games, and created countless forever memories that her family still enjoys today. After embracing the "snowbird" lifestyle they purchased a small property in Thonotosassa, Florida where they spent many winters making friends and enjoying the warm weather.

While never the wealthiest people, Ruth always claimed they were rich in love and family, and measured the meaning of her life in the smiles of her children and grandchildren. She is remembered as the center of the universe to those who loved her and will be sorely missed by her family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, you may consider donation to The National Park Foundation, https://donate.nationalparks.org/ea-action/action?ea.client.id=1957&ea.campaign.id=53869, which supports our national parks where Ruthie and her family made so many memories.