WENHAM: Eleanor M. (Ryan) Clarke, 85, died peacefully Saturday, September 24, 2016 at her home in Wenham surrounded by her loving family. She was the wife of the late Leroy F. Clarke Jr. who died in 2008.
Eleanor was born in Jersey City, New Jersey on February 8, 1931 and has resided in Wenham for the past seventy years. She once worked as an X-Ray Technician at Beverly Hospital.
She was a loving mother and grandmother (Nan), and enjoyed swimming, crafts and crocheting. Eleanor was a lover of all animals and was an animal welfare advocate. She especially loved to spend time with her family and friends, summering on Moose Pond in Denmark, Maine. Many years ago, Eleanor was a member of the Wenham Fire Department's Woman's Auxiliary.
She is survived by her daughter, Kathleen M. Clarke and her husband, Lloyd Durgin; her son, Ronald F. Clarke and his wife Leeanne; four grandchildren; Kristen Davis and her husband, Eric, Justin Slattery and his wife, Kelley, Ron and Leanne’s twins, Jack and Riley; two great-grandchildren, Keagan and Piper Slattery; several nieces and nephews and her beloved dogs, “ Jesse" and "Boo”.
Her funeral service will be privately held in the Main Street Cemetery, Wenham at the convenience of the family. Expressions of sympathy may be made in her memory to the Salvation Army, 93 North St., Salem, MA 01970 or Sweet Paws Rescue (www.sweetpawsrescue.org).