Obituary for Nancy Parker Clark
Nancy (Parker) Clark, a longtime Chelmsford resident, passed away at her home in Chelmsford on April 20, 2021. She celebrated her 100th birthday in June, pandemic style, with an exuberant drive-by parade.1
Mrs. Clark was born on June 16, 1920 in Lowell, MA, daughter of the late Allan Douglas and Rachel Elizabeth (Cook) Parker. So proud of Lowell’s rich history, she often told a story about buying candy from a Lowell gentleman who had participated in the Civil War as a drummer boy.2 She attended the Moody School in Lowell, graduated from Concord Academy, Concord, MA in 1938 and Garland School, Boston, MA in 1940.
Mrs. Clark grew up, just down the street from the love of her life, the late Lincoln Clark, Jr., with whom she shared 63 years of marriage until his passing in 2005. Lincoln and Nancy were married in 1941 and raised four children together: Constance Clark Gagnebin with her husband, Charles L. Gagnebin III of Cambridge, Lincoln Clark III of Chelmsford, Nancy Clark Davis with her husband, Stephen Tose of Rockland, and Allan Douglas Parker Clark of Chelmsford. They were blessed with eight grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren and many beloved nieces and nephews. Her grandson, Charles Lincoln Gagnebin, passed away in 2002.
Mrs. Clark worked as a nursery school teacher at The Belvidere School in Lowell and Chelmsford and also served as a trustee. Always interested in antiques, she later assisted with furniture appraisals and worked at The Gebelein Silversmith Shop in Boston. She furthered her interest in silversmithing, taking classes at deCordova
Museum and then joining The Metal Workers Guild at Lexington Arts and Crafts.
She continued her interest in antiques with her support of The Old Garrison House in Chelmsford, helping out as a volunteer and a trustee. She is honored there with the dedication of the DeWolf-Clark building. She was also on the board of The Children’s Home in Lowell,
Mrs. Clark was always filled with curiosity and creativity and tried her hand in many artistic endeavors. She hand-smocked dresses for her daughters. She hand-braided rugs for her children and grandchildren. She used her silversmithing skills to create cherished treasures for her family. She learned to hand knot necklaces. She developed a business designing and creating, selling and repairing necklaces and bracelets, which spanned over thirty years and resulted in many loyal customers. When one of her grandchildren was hospitalized, she made necklaces for all the nurses who cared for him. She formed “The Benevolent Beaders”, a group in her church, Central Congregational Church in Chelmsford, which made and sold bracelets to earn money for church and community projects.
Blessings to all the family, Merrimack Valley Hospice caregivers and others who allowed Nana to complete her life at home.
Interment will be held privately. The memorial service will be held at a future date (when the world opens up). In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Mrs. Clark’s memory to Chelmsford Garrison House, P.O. Box 161, Chelmsford, MA 01824 or a favorite charity of your choice.
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1 https://youtu.be/66sKvYaeEeE
2 https://forgottennewengland.com/2012/04/07/downtown-lowells-uncle-dudley-page-the-man-behind-pages-clock/
Mrs. Clark was born on June 16, 1920 in Lowell, MA, daughter of the late Allan Douglas and Rachel Elizabeth (Cook) Parker. So proud of Lowell’s rich history, she often told a story about buying candy from a Lowell gentleman who had participated in the Civil War as a drummer boy.2 She attended the Moody School in Lowell, graduated from Concord Academy, Concord, MA in 1938 and Garland School, Boston, MA in 1940.
Mrs. Clark grew up, just down the street from the love of her life, the late Lincoln Clark, Jr., with whom she shared 63 years of marriage until his passing in 2005. Lincoln and Nancy were married in 1941 and raised four children together: Constance Clark Gagnebin with her husband, Charles L. Gagnebin III of Cambridge, Lincoln Clark III of Chelmsford, Nancy Clark Davis with her husband, Stephen Tose of Rockland, and Allan Douglas Parker Clark of Chelmsford. They were blessed with eight grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren and many beloved nieces and nephews. Her grandson, Charles Lincoln Gagnebin, passed away in 2002.
Mrs. Clark worked as a nursery school teacher at The Belvidere School in Lowell and Chelmsford and also served as a trustee. Always interested in antiques, she later assisted with furniture appraisals and worked at The Gebelein Silversmith Shop in Boston. She furthered her interest in silversmithing, taking classes at deCordova
Museum and then joining The Metal Workers Guild at Lexington Arts and Crafts.
She continued her interest in antiques with her support of The Old Garrison House in Chelmsford, helping out as a volunteer and a trustee. She is honored there with the dedication of the DeWolf-Clark building. She was also on the board of The Children’s Home in Lowell,
Mrs. Clark was always filled with curiosity and creativity and tried her hand in many artistic endeavors. She hand-smocked dresses for her daughters. She hand-braided rugs for her children and grandchildren. She used her silversmithing skills to create cherished treasures for her family. She learned to hand knot necklaces. She developed a business designing and creating, selling and repairing necklaces and bracelets, which spanned over thirty years and resulted in many loyal customers. When one of her grandchildren was hospitalized, she made necklaces for all the nurses who cared for him. She formed “The Benevolent Beaders”, a group in her church, Central Congregational Church in Chelmsford, which made and sold bracelets to earn money for church and community projects.
Blessings to all the family, Merrimack Valley Hospice caregivers and others who allowed Nana to complete her life at home.
Interment will be held privately. The memorial service will be held at a future date (when the world opens up). In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Mrs. Clark’s memory to Chelmsford Garrison House, P.O. Box 161, Chelmsford, MA 01824 or a favorite charity of your choice.
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1 https://youtu.be/66sKvYaeEeE
2 https://forgottennewengland.com/2012/04/07/downtown-lowells-uncle-dudley-page-the-man-behind-pages-clock/