Ritsu Clark

Ritsu Clark (nee Kameda) passed away peacefully on August 24 at Rogers Cove retirement residence in Huntsville, Ontario. She was predeceased by husband Don in 2017. She will be fondly remembered by her 7 children, 17 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

 Ritsuko was born in Port Essington, British Columbia, to Hichisaburo and Shimo Kameda. After the Japanese evacuation, she moved east and graduated from the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto in 1949. After her marriage in 1951 to Don Clark, they moved to Texas, where Don was an Episcopal minister at a number of churches. They returned to Canada in 1965 and served at Anglican churches in southern Ontario and Fort McMurray. In 1991 they retired to Bella Lake near Huntsville, where they had had a summer home since 1967. In 1999 they moved to a condo in town. Ritsu’s last move was to nearby Rogers Cove, where she spent the last four years of her life surrounded by new friends. In her memoirs, written at age 80, she recalled the 17 homes she had known since leaving B.C.!

 Ritsu had many interests and activities throughout her years, as wife, mother to seven children, and devout Christian. She was always involved in church and parish activities, taking on roles such as organist, choir director, Sunday school teacher and parish secretary. As the children grew older, she had more time for herself, to travel and do gardening, drawing, painting, pottery and flower arranging. In her senior years, she especially enjoyed get-togethers with family at Bella Lake, watching the visiting grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow older.

 The family is grateful to the staff of Rogers Cove for the patience and loving care shown to Ritsu in her final months, and particularly thanks son Thomas, Angie and Heather for their care and compassion in her final hours.

 Cremation has taken place and a graveside service to honour and celebrate Ritsu’s life will take place at 2 pm on Friday, September 10 at Grassmere Cemetery.

 Donations may be made in Ritsu’s memory to the Memorial Fund at All Saints' Church or to the charity of your choice.