Dec. 23, 2005 – A celebration of life service for Jessie Clark is set for 11 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 29, at the St. Thomas Reformed Church. Clark was born in Rochester, N.Y. on Feb. 28, 1922 and died Nov. 30, 2005 in King George, Va. at the age of 83 after a battle with bone cancer.
. Clark is survived by her sister Virginia Bundy (Buffalo, NY); her daughter-in-law, Donna Banks; three granddaughters, Kemberley Beukelman, Tiffany Valdez, Ashley Rivers; two grandsons-in-law, Harry Beukelman and Daniel Valdez; five great granddaughters, Kelsey and Kaylen Hage, Michelle and Juliana Beukelman, and Sophia Valdez; and two great grandsons, Nickolas and Daniel Valdez and a host of other relatives and friends all over the world.
Clark joined the University of the Virgin Islands human resources staff in 1991. Her straightforward manner, firm disposition, and extensive professional expertise all helped to keep the operation grounded. However, this was only one side of Clark. The other side which few persons may be aware of was the side which made such an impact on her "extended" HR Family. Clark will always be remembered for being the very sensitive, fun loving, Halloween costume -making, and happy go lucky spirit which would surface at in-house parties, "just-because" gatherings at Raffles and her famous birthday bashes.
Clark was honored by the Virgin Islands Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers at least twice. In 1998 the organization celebrated a "Centennial of Professional Social Work" by honoring "Real Heroes" in the Virgin Islands. . Clark was a part of a group of honorees for the Recognition Luncheon on April 19, 1998. On March 5, 2005, . Clark was again selected as a "Social Work Trailblazer" and honored with another select group of professionals.
Some of Clark's many accomplishments have been chronicled in the Marquis Who's Who in America, the International Who's Who of Professional Management and the National Association of Social Workers , Academy of Certified Social Workers and School Social Work Specialists Directory.
As a Human Resources Specialist III at UVI, Clark was responsible for employee relations, research, and writing personnel policy and regulation. Clark enjoyed substantial success both professionally and personally in her life. She traveled professionally to such countries as India, Russia, and South Africa. She retired from the UVI in 2003.
Cark had also served as special assistant to the comptroller at the V.I. Housing Authority. She retired from the VIHA in 1985.
A graduate of Howard University with a Masters degree in social work, Clark specialized in adult client groups, mental illness/disorders, medical conditions, chemical dependency, crisis intervention, and women's issues.
Clark, in her capacity as a certified social worker, served on numerous committees, boards and task forces both in the V.I. and the Washington, D.C. area.
Clark enjoyed traveling, gardening, reading, writing, sewing, and social club activities. She lived a full life. A guest book has been established online at www.legacy.com..
