Sheila Clark

Sheila Clark of Greene

Sheila Clark died Sunday, July 2, 2023. Born July 18, 1923, in Cambridge, England, she was predeceased by her parents, Rosa and Frederick Peacock; siblings, Cecil Peacock and Dorothy Russell; her two husbands, Robert Palmiter and Robert Clark; her children and son-in-law: Valerie Kellogg, Heather/Jack Scherer, Brian Palmiter and Valora Stracuzzi; her granddaughter, Lucinda Scherer, and her great-great-granddaughter, Aquamarina Reilly. Sheila is survived by her children and sons-in-law:  Ian Palmiter, Stephanie/Steven Johnson, and Vivian/James Driscall; stepsons; Richard and Steve Clark; her nieces and nephew, Judith MacMillan, Susan Palmiter and Peter Russell; forty-five grandchildren, including five great-great grandchildren; special friends:  Sally Saraceno, Mary Warnstorff, Jane and Ron Williamson, Ella and Rochelle Lane, Helen and Rick Centerwall, Elmer Fairbanks. Special thanks to Hospice of Chenango County; her caregivers: Malisa Cummings, Jennie Drwal, Logan Hartwell, Jeanette Grainger, and volunteers: Billie Buckland, Jane and Joe Sugar, Marie Inglee. Sheila grew up in Cambridge, England.  After graduating, Sheila attended secondary school, focusing on art.  During WWII, she entered the British Royal Airforce at the age of 17.  She supported the war effort by driving personnel, supplies and equipment in a Lorry by day and in the dark at night with the lights off to avoid detection by enemy bombers. It was during this time that she met her future husband.  They married in England and moved to Greene, NY, to raise a family.  In addition to raising seven children, she worked at the family farm on Palmiter Road.  As the family got older, she worked at Taylor and Wheeler Nursing Homes in Greene, NY, and Fowlers in Binghamton, NY.  Eventually, she took a job at Raymond Corporation as the switchboard operator.  With her English accent, she was dubbed, “the Voice of Raymond”. After retirement, she traveled back to her home in Great Britain, reconnecting with family.  At her home in Greene, Sheila enjoyed a passion for painting, subsequently sharing her painted vases and artwork with everyone.  She extended that talent to flower gardens.  Her home was surrounded by the beautiful gardens she created. With her second husband, whom she had known many years through Raymond Corporation, they shared a life of helping others and giving to church.  He became the love of her life. After her husband died and Sheila sold her home, she lived with her daughter, Vivian, and family, where she was lovingly cared for until her death. Sheila became a Hospice volunteer after the death of a dear friend who had entered the program.  Her caregiving duties did not stop there, but extended to family or friends in need. Additionally, she made it her mission to start writing letters to shut-ins or anyone she thought needed a friendly message.  Sheila wrote many notes weekly until her illness and eyesight made it impossible to do so. Never a person to settle for long, Sheila could be found visiting friends and exciting places. Fridays were spent with her friend, Mary, having lunch at Cup-A-Jo’s, with the owners, Amy, and Tom, happily making many new friends. She and Mary sang songs along their weekly trips and had fun driving past and admiring the homes of the “Rich and Famous” during their travels. Sheila loved the tea parties she had at her home, and at her daughter, Stephanie’s, with her friends, Helen Centerwall, Judy Frank, Nancy Wilcox, Irma McGowan, Lisa Gerace, Ann Morey, and Betty Meringola. During those times, she shared her wisdom about life and the importance of friends and family to share it with.  No matter how ill she felt that day, she would never miss a tea. Sheila wasn’t one to complain about the challenges life gave her, rather choosing to face them head on.  Even when she contracted a terminal illness, we remember her favorite phrase, “It could always be worse.”  Sheila had an adventurous spirit and a love of life.  She will be missed dearly by all who knew and loved her. Kindly consider donations to Hospice of Chenango County, 33-39 Court St., Norwich, NY 13815, or North Fenton United Methodist Church, PO Box 175, Chenango Forks, NY. 13746. Services will be held at the North Fenton United Methodist Church, 5984 State Route 79, Chenango Forks, NY. 13746 on July 15, 2023 at 11 AM. Burial will be at Chapel Cemetery, Cueball Road, Coventry, NY at a later date. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.rootfh.com.

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