Clark, Leona M. (Rooney), 96, January 9, 2015. A committal service will be held in the spring at St. Mary’s Cemetery. Arrangements by Dunn Funeral Home, Houlton.
HOULTON – Leona Mary (Rooney) Clark, 96, passed away Jan. 9, 2015, at a local hospital with her family always near. Leona was born on Sept 11, 1918, in Littleton, the daughter of Ralph and Bernice (Haggerty) Rooney and the twin sister of a brother, Lawrence “Buddy” Rooney.
Leona was a communicant of St. Mary of the Visitation and attended morning prayers and daily Mass until her moving to Gardiner Healthcare Facility. She was a past member of the Houlton Council of Catholic Women. Leona was known for her hard work outside the home of papering, painting, and spring cleaning for others. She was always sought after for cutting potato seed in the spring and picking potatoes in the fall. When the Sport Welt Shoe Company opened at the Houlton Airport, she was called upon for her sewing skills and worked there until its closing. She then sharpened her secretarial skills and was employed by Walter Davis and Bert Daniels at their Fruit and Produce Co. and later their trucking business. She worked until she was 72 years of age, retiring when the company went out of business.
Leona loved music and, while in her 60s, took piano lessons and was often asked to accompany the singing at the Town and Country Senior Citizens and the Golden Heirs in Littleton. Over the years, her hobbies included piano, gardening, crocheting, reading, and baking her delicious biscuits for family and friends to enjoy.
Leona is survived by seven children; her daughters, Bernice “Bunny” Tidd, Joan Russell, and Mary and David Grant, all of Houlton, Sharon and George Lycette of Hodgdon, and Jane and Mark Stile of New Limerick, and sons, Lawrence “Buddy” Clark of Port Ritchey, FL, and Milford Clark of Athens, TN. Also, her twelve grandchildren; seventeen great-grandchildren; and eleven great-great-grand-children; her sister, Ethel Schools of Houlton; brothers, John “Jack” Rooney and wife, Dawna, of Mapleton, Marim Rooney and wife, Ruth, of Hermon, and Ralph Rooney of Orange City, FL; a special goddaughter, Judy Williams; and many nieces and nephews. Also sisters-in-law, June Clark of Orono and Winona Clark of Norway, ME; and brother-in-law, Warren Moody, and his friend, Helen Farrar of Freedom. She was predeceased by her parents; husband, Milford H. Clark, twin brother, Lawrence Rooney; sister, Laura Briggs; daughter-in law, Kathy Clark; sons-in-law, Herbert “Paul” Tidd and Larry Russell; and grandson, Herbert “Herbie” Tidd. Also sisters-in-law, Helen Brann, Mildred Moody, and Julia “Dottie” Young; brothers-in-law, Lawrence Schools, Fred Briggs, Kenneth Clark, Jack Clark, Wallace Brann, and Seldon Young.
The family would like to express their thanks and gratitude for their mother’s care while at Gardiner Healthcare Residential Facility and to Houlton Regional Hospital’s skilled and comfort care nurses and staff.
Friends called at St. Mary of the Visitation on Tuesday, Jan 13 from 10 to 11 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. with Father David Raymond, celebrant. A committal service at St. Mary’s Cemetery will be held later in the spring. Gifts may be made in Leona’s memory to St. Mary of the Visitation toward the roof fund, the Food Pantry or a charity of your choice, c/o Dunn Funeral Home, 11 Park St. Houlton, ME 04730. Online condolences and guest book: dunnfuneral.com.
