Mary Therese Clark (O’Keefe), 93, of Connersville, passed away early Wednesday morning, November 15, 2023, at The Waters of Tipton Nursing Home in Tipton, Indiana. Mary was a loving wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, and friend. Mary was in failing health for several months and in hospice care. She was loved by all, and her smile and compassion endeared her to all who met her.

Mary was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan on March 18, 1930, to Louis and Margaret O’Keefe. She was the second of four children. She is preceded in death by her parents of Mishawaka, Indiana, her elder brother Louis O’Keefe Jr. of Indianapolis, Indiana, younger sister Rita Newman of Michigan City, Indiana, and younger brother James O’Keefe of Mishawaka, Indiana. Mary graduated from high school in 1948 at Saint Joseph Academy in South Bend, Indiana. She also attended Western Michigan University to pursue a degree in teaching.

On January 23, 1954, Mary married Ernest Clark Jr. (Deceased 2013) at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Mishawaka, Indiana. They had been married for fifty-nine years. After her husband returned from the Korean War, they set off for Indiana University in Bloomington. Mary worked as a telephone operator while Ernest completed his IU business degree in three years. In Bloomington, they not only picked up a degree but their eldest daughter, Patricia (husband Bruce Fassold of Connersville) was born. The Clark’s started their new life after college in Battle Creek, Michigan where they welcomed five more children. Tom Clark (wife Denise of Indianapolis) is the eldest son, followed by Ernie Clark (wife Ierma of Carmel), Bill Clark (wife Karen of Greenwood), Peggy Gilland (husband Allen of Tipton), and Danny Clark (Deceased 2022) (widow Crystal of Trophy Club, Texas.)

In 1967, the family was transferred to Connersville from Michigan with Sears Roebuck. Mary, together with her husband and six children, was embraced by her new community.

As a member of St. Gabriel parish, she held memberships in St. Ann Altar Society, Daughters of Isabella, Knights of Columbus Auxiliary, and the bereavement and festival committees.

As her family matured, Mary transitioned to a career with Fayette County Schools where she served in the Special Education Department as an Educational Assistant for the Severe/Profound Program with love and dedication for 27 years. Her colleagues said it was hard to imagine how anyone could fill her shoes when she retired.

Mary’s house was always full of good times, love, and activity, especially when her children, grandchildren, and friends would return to the Clark house for the holiday celebrations. Holidays were always celebrated with popcorn, ice cream and cake. Teams of skilled euchre players would huddle to compete for bragging rights and fellowship.

Born the day after St. Patrick’s Day, Mary embraced her Irish heritage on both sides of her family. Her mother’s maiden name was “Muldoon” and her father’s name was “O’Keefe”. She loved to chant “My name is O’Keefe and I’m Irish” with her many nieces and nephews. Mary’s mother would tease her children that all they needed was a drop of Irish blood to make them Irish. That led Mary to hug everyone she met and promise them that they too were Irish.

Mary loved her hometown team, Notre Dame, and previously worked for the football team in the athletic department. She was also an avid IU basketball fan and cheered for all her children and grandchildren who represented Spartan athletics. Mary attended and cheered for the Spartans at both CHS Basketball State Championship games.

Mary is survived by fifteen grandchildren, Matt Fassold (fiancé Mandy Lingg), Megan Munchel (husband Brian), Melissa Bolden, Sarah Clark, Amanda Glowacki (husband Todd), Joe Clark, Michael Clark, Louis Clark (wife Vanessa), Holly Clark, Courtney Weishaar (husband Nate), Steven Gilland, Scott Gilland (wife Shannon), Daniel Clark, Jackson Clark and Christina Clark, and twelve great-grandchildren, Aiden and Evelyn Fassold, Cooper and Chloe Griffin, Clark Munchel, Madyson and Devin Bolden, Reddik and Truly Love, Claire and Maggie Glowacki, and Luke Clark. She was also blessed with many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Recitation of the Rosary will be conducted at 3:30 p.m. followed by visitation from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 21, 2023, at Miller, Moster, Robbins Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Reverend Dustin Boehm at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 22, 2023, at St. Gabriel Church. A burial will follow in Dale Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Gabriel School Endowment Fund. Online condolences may be made anytime at millermosterrobbins.com.