Penelope “Penny” Clarke (neé Pickard)

It is with profound sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Penelope “Penny” Clarke (neé Pickard), 82, on the morning of Wednesday, January 10, 2024, after a difficult battle with Alzheimer’s. A beloved mother, grandmother, and wife, Penny was surrounded by loved ones in her final moments that will dearly miss her.

Penny was born March 31, 1941, to Howard and Freeda (Mitchell) Pickard in Joplin, Missouri. Penny met her husband and lifelong partner, Ronald “Ronnie” Clarke, as a sophomore in high school in Richardson, Texas. Before then, she had attended 13 different schools from Memphis to Minneapoilis. In 1963, they married at Perkins Chapel in Dallas, Texas. Soon after graduating from Texas Woman’s University with a B.S. in journalism, she relocated with her husband to Ft. Smith, Arkansas where they raised three daughters.

In addition to her role as a devoted wife and mother, Penny was an active member of her community and avid globetrotter. She volunteered at hospitals for over 50 years, including St. David’s Hospital Georgetown. In 2001, Penny moved with her husband to their final home in Georgetown, Texas, where she then traveled the world and perfected her skills as a seamstress. She generously shared her time and talents with her loved ones through acts of kindness or as a source of strength for others. There were few things Penny loved more than listening to Willie Nelson and spending time with her husband and dogs. 

Penny is survived by her husband, Ron; three daughters: Kelly (Alexander), Sally (Kevin) and Penny (Rick); and seven grandchildren: Madeline, Dylan, Camilla, Sascha, Reagan, Kaelan and Sumner. She is missed and remembered by each of her daughters’ families.

Plans for a memorial service to celebrate Penny Clarke’s life will be made at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to The Blue Santa Program c/o The Georgetown Police Department, 3500 DB Wood Road, Georgetown, Texas 78626 in her honor.