Mary Jean Fae Clark

Mary Jean Fae Clark (née Peterson), of Newtown Square, Pa. passed away peacefully July 23rd, 2022. Born June 17th, 1928 in Rockford Illinois she was the daughter of the late Clarence Emanuel Peterson and Sigrid Margaret (née Palm) Peterson. 

Mary Jean was raised in Atlas, Wisconsin, where her parents owned the general store attached to the front of their home. She graduated from her high school as class Valedictorian. She then attended Macalester College in Minnesota, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree and also met her future husband Dale Clark. Mary Jean and Dale were married August 13th, 1950 in Atlas Wisconsin. Their interest in travel led them to take teaching jobs overseas with the Dept. Of Defense. They were stationed in Germany, Turkey, Spain, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines. Mary Jean taught many subjects but here favorites were English and Art. She was also fluent in Swedish, German, and Spanish. After 15 years of living overseas Mary Jean and Dale returned to the states as Dale had accepted a position working for the Dept. of Justice in California. This led to promotions and transfers to Colorado, Maryland, and eventually Newtown Square, Pa.

After Dale’s retirement in 1981 they purchased a small vacation home in Salida, Colorado. Here they both enjoyed skiing at Monarch Mountain and entertaining their many friends and family. They also continued to travel, visiting dear friends in Spain, Germany, Sweden, and Alaska. They also joined their church group to Machu Picchu in Peru and Mary Jean traveled to the Galápagos Islands.

Mary Jean was an excellent cook and loved to entertain with her favorite recipes from overseas including German sauerbraten and spaetzli, Spanish paella, and Filipino lumpia. She was also proud of her Swedish heritage and enjoyed researching her ancestry. She was a choir member of the Swedish Historical Museum in Philadelphia and a crew member on the “Norseman” a Viking ship replica. Mary Jean and Dale were members of both the Newtown Square Presbyterian Church and the First Presbyterian Church in Salida.

Mary Jean loved knowledge and was always interested in experiencing and learning new things. She also loved teaching and never really stopped.

Mary Jean was the beloved mother of Dean Clark (Denise), Siri Fitzgerald (Michael), and Sarah Clark; adoring grandmother (or Farmor as she was called) of Eric Clark (Lisa Daniels), Scott Clark, and Christopher Clark; and dear great grandmother of Cecilia Clark and Flynn Clark. She was predeceased by her loving husband Dale Clark and her younger brother Clyde Peterson.

Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to World Central Kitchen or a charity of your choice.