Published in the March 24, 2017 edition

WAKEFIELD — Kathleen (Edgerly) Clark, 65, a resident of Wakefield, passed away peacefully surrounded by loving family at home on Tuesday, March 14, 2017. Kathy was born in Queens, New York on June 5, 1951, and was one of four daughters of the late Charles E. and Dorothy A. (Demore) Edgerly. She was raised and educated in North Merrick on Long Island, New York, where her love of the beach and the outdoors was born. Kathy was married on July 17, 1982 to Phillip Clark, whom she met working at Harvard Medical School, and agreed to attend art class as a first date. They became friends, fell in love and shared 34 years of love and adventure together. Kathy worked as a research assistant and a graphic artist before attending Mass College of Art. She graduated with a degree in Studio Art and Art History, discovering that art was what she was meant to do. Kathy had a lifelong passion for learning, discussing, and creating art across different mediums. She had the skill and talent to work in charcoal and pastels, and oils, and the creativity for sculpture and interior design. When left alone in her attic studio, she created beautiful art, particularly with her landscape and still life paintings. She was an amazing talent, and was truly an artist in every sense of the word. Kathy had an adventurous spirit with a love for the outdoors from New England beaches to riverside campfires in Maine to exploring Alaskan glaciers. She and Phil enjoyed trips to Ogunquit, kayaking out to the ocean or camping on Crooked River in Maine. They spent summers on Chappaquiddick on Martha’s Vineyard for many years, and more recently found a place near the beach in Hyannis Port. Kathy had a deep appreciation and love for the rawness of the outdoors. She was happiest with her toes in the sand, the flicker of a campfire nearby, and hair windblown and salty from a day at the beach. In her free time, Kathy enjoyed time either cooking, reading, laughing, volunteering or learning about ancient history. She had a fun loving nature, was quick to laugh, and had a gift for storytelling. She loved experiencing what life had to offer, collecting humorous stories along the way, and shared her love of art and nature with Phil. She will be remembered for her empathy, sense of humor, compassion, and unconditional love for all. Kathy was the beloved wife of Phillip Clark, with whom she shared 34 years of marriage. She was comforted by her beloved pet boxer, Juliet, whom she relied on for peace and quiet affection these last few years. She was the cherished sister of Susan Clements and her late husband Luther of Abington; Karen Dumont and her husband Jeffrey of South Hero, Vermont; and the late Donna Petersen and her surviving husband James of S. Burlington, Vermont. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends gathered in honor of Kathy’s life for visiting hours at the Robinson Funeral Home, 809 Main St., Melrose on Monday, March 20. Gifts in memory of Kathy may be made to Care Dimensions, 75 Sylvan St., B-102, Danvers MA 01923. For online tribute or directions, visit RobinsonFuneralHome.com.