PRESQUE ISLE – Verbena “Bea” (McQuade) Clark, 84, peacefully passed away Thursday, March 25, 2010, at Tidewell Hospice Home, Port Charlotte, Fla. Bea was born Oct. 28, 1925, in Grand Falls, New Brunswick, to Wilbert and Louise (Cote) McQuade. She grew up in the Perth-Andover, New Brunswick, area and lived and worked several years in Montreal before coming to Presque Isle as a young war bride in 1946. Bea co-owned a local restaurant with her first husband before becoming the fountain manager at J.J. Newberry’s. She later owned and operated Clark’s Lodge for 15 years and retired in 1986. She eventually became a citizen of the U.S. and had a great love of both the U.S. and Canada. Bea was a fabulous cook and loved to play cards and entertain family and friends. She was an active member of NARF and took part in and enjoyed the activities of the various clubs to which her husband, Grayden, was a member. In the past, Bea and Grayden enjoyed the peace and beauty of their camp at Squa Pan Lake and their winter get-away home in Frostproof, Fla. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Grayden; 15 brothers and sisters; her former husband, Lawrence; and their young daughter, Carol Ann Johnston. She is survived by her daughters and their husbands, Sherry and Michael Robertson of Punta Gorda, Fla., and Cross Lake, and Allison and Andrew Thibeault of Orono; her beloved son, Ivan Johnston of Presque Isle; her stepson and his wife, David and Jennifer Clark of Fredericton, New Brunswick; four grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, many special nieces and nephews. She will be deeply missed by her family and her many friends. A memorial service will be held 1 p.m. June 5 at Duncan-Graves Funeral Home, 30 Church St., Presque Isle. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Central Aroostook ARC, P.O. Box 1245, Presque Isle, ME 04769 or House of Comfort, P.O. Box 766, Presque Isle, ME 04769. Online condolences may be expressed at www.duncan-graves.com.
VERBENA ‘BEA’ CLARK
