Mary "Jewel" Clark

Mary “Jewel” Thomas Clark (October 2, 1916 – February 16, 2013) Mary “Jewel” Thomas Clark, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother passed away peacefully February 16, 2013, at the age of 96 after a courageous battle with sarcoma cancer. Jewel was blessed with a perceptive mind and positive appreciation for every new day. We thank her for the memories and the love she so freely extended to all. Jewel was born October 2, 1916 in Wales, Utah, the daughter of Jonathan Midgley Thomas and Sarah Elizabeth (Sazie) Anderson. She was a granddaughter of Welsh and Danish immigrants. Jewel was no stranger to adversity. At age 5, she lost her baby sister, Hannah Lucille, to pneumonia. Two years later, her father was killed in the Castle Gate Coal Mine Explosion of 1924. Hard times and a strong family heritage shaped Mom’s self determination and zest for life. Jewel graduated from Moroni High School in 1933 and accepted a scholarship to attend Henager’s Business School. Her first job after graduation was with the new Social Security Administration. Other employers include the Soil Conservation Agency, the Department of War and the U.S. Bureau of Mines. She retired from Hercules in 1979 after 20 years as an Executive Secretary. Jewel married Kenneth Verl Sorenson Clark December 16, 1939 in Salt Lake City. Ken and Jewel are parents of three children: Penny (Kent) Sadler, Ste. Genevieve, MO; Kathy (Gary) Hale, Layton, UT; and Kenneth (Dana) Clark, Sandy, UT. Jewel was a caring and supportive wife and mother. She helped her husband build a successful business (Ken’s Moving Company) using acquired business skills and good common sense. The business was later sold to Allied Van Lines. She was a member of Women’s Utah Motor Transport Association, a group that supported their husbands in the transport business, for over 60 years. Mom loved beautiful flowers, watching sunsets from her porch and sharing Coke and chocolate cake with those who visited. Jewel enjoyed many fishing trips to “The Gorge” and Jackson Hole and was patient when Dad lost track of time exploring brooks and streams. She was thrifty and loved a good sale. Mom also enjoyed traveling, luncheons with friends, ceramics and music, and was gifted at playing the piano by ear. In recent years, she enjoyed watching Jazz games, golf tournaments and ice skating events on television. Mom made friends wherever she went. New friends at Legacy Village became very dear to her heart. She enjoyed sharing her talents with everyone and was always very appreciative of each kind act given by others. Jewel was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She reached out to touch the lives of others through service, love, caring and example. She loved her heritage and each and every family member. May we always remember her positive outlook and her love of sharing life. We will always remember her love of family gatherings, music around the piano, late night board games, and family skits (especially the Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer episode). We never thought of her as being old. Mom was preceded in death by her parents, sister, and her husband, Ken, who died in 1982. She is survived by her children, 13 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at Noon Friday, March 1, 2013 at Lindquist’s Bountiful Mortuary, 727 North 400 East, Bountiful, Utah. Friends may visit with family at a viewing from 10:00 to 11:45 am preceding the service. Interment will be in the Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Salt Lake City. The family wishes to express sincere gratitude to her wonderful friends and extended family. We thank Legacy Village of Layton and CNS Hospice staff members who lovingly cared for and gave comfort to our Mom during recent weeks of declining health. In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity or extend your hand to someone in need.