Obituary of Barbara G. Clark

HILTON HEAD, SC Barbara Speegle Clark, 86, of Hilton Head Island, SC, died Monday, May 3, 2021, at Lifecare Center of Hilton Head, following a stroke. Barbara will be remembered by her family and friends for her intelligence, kindness, love of travel, and commitment to her family and community. She is survived by three children, Steve Clark and his wife Eileen; Scott Clark and his wife Sarah; and Cynthia Clark Littler and her husband Tom; six grandchildren, Brianna and her husband Bob Strecansky, Colleen, Sam, Kate, Matthew and Ellie; and a great-grand daughter, Madeline. Barbara was preceded in death by Roger Browne Clark, her husband of 58 years, and their son, Gregory Browne Clark. Barbara was born on May 20, 1934, in LaCrosse, WI, the daughter of Louis and Grace (Goyette) Speegle. After attending high school in St. Louis, MO, she moved east to attend Wellesley College. Barbara married her high school sweetheart Roger (a recent graduate of Amherst College) while she finished her senior year. After graduation, she joined Roger in Germany where he was stationed with the Air Force. It was in Germany that Barbara and Roger began what would be a lifelong love for travel. Following the birth of two sons, Barbara and Roger moved back to the States to Cincinnati, OH where two more children joined the family. The Clarks then moved to Westport, CT, where they would make their home for the next 30 years. During their time in Westport, Barbara was busy raising her children, participating in the PTA and Little League, and volunteering with the Westport Historical Society. She took her love for history and began exploring genealogy – research that took her on multiple trips to Salt Lake City, Ireland and England. Barbara and Roger also had the opportunity for extensive international travel during these years, including trips to Australia, Russia, Turkey, the Caribbean and Western Europe. While living in Westport, Barbara and Roger began spending increasing amounts of time in Hilton Head, and decided on a permanent move in 1996. Upon moving to Hilton Head, Barbara began volunteering at the Deep Well Project, a passion that would lead her to serving two terms as the President of the Deep Well Board. Additionally, she was actively involved in her church, First Presbyterian Church of Hilton Head, and served as a Stephen Minister. Barbara loved living in Hilton Head, taking walks by the water, attending her granddaughters' school and sporting events, and having friends and family visit for holidays, summer and spring breaks. Donations may be made to the Deep Well Project, P.O. Box 5543, Hilton Head Island, SC 29938. Interment will be held on Monday, October 18, 2021 in Willowbrook Cemetery, 395 Main Street, Westport, Conn.