Obituary of Bess Clarke, 91

On the morning of Saturday, Feb. 20, 2010, well known Canton resident, Bess Jeffrey (Treager) Clarke, passed away quietly at Bradford County Manor. She was 91 years of age.

Born Feb. 8, 1919, in Greensburg, she was the daughter of William L. and Edna (Jeffrey) Treager. After graduating high school, Bess enrolled in Penn State, following in the footsteps of her father. She graduated with the class of 1940, having earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics.

After college, Bess worked for awhile as a home demonstration agent for the Department of Agriculture Extension Office in Martinsburg, W.Va. It was during her years at Penn State that she met the love of her life, W. William Clarke, and the two were wed on Nov. 23, 1941. When Bill entered active military service during WWII Bess did her part for the war effort by working at the Westinghouse plant in Pittsburgh. After the war, Bill and Bess settled in State College where they raised a son and a daughter. Bill worked as a bee keeping specialist with Penn State' s extension service.

In addition to tending her family, Bess kept busy as a 4H leader, assisted her husband with bee keeping, published a beekeeping newsletter; raised beagles and dachshunds; founded the local antique show, and kept busy with many other activities.

After her husband's retirement in 1974, the Clarkes moved to Canton. Immediately, Bill and Bess immersed themselves in good works in their new community, continuing their bee keeping and honey production as well. She also found time to serve as a reporter for the Elmira Star-Gazette.

Bess was the quintessential volunteer. Among her many accomplishments were the establishment of the Canton-Shade Tree Commission, and the Pennsylvania Apple `n' Cheese festival, where she and Bill made apple butter over an open fire, a tradition that continues to this day. Just like her honey bees, Bess was always happiest when she was working for the greater good of her community.

In the late 1980's the Clarkes carried their good will and good works to many Third World countries when they embarked on a series of assignments for Volunteer Overseas Co-operative Assistance and the U.S. Agency for International Development. They taught their bee keeping skills to the remote people of Bolivia, Tunisia, Slovakia, Egypt and Gambia. One Gambian couple was so inspired by Bess that they named their newborn daughter after her.

In her spare time, Bess enjoyed swimming, hiking, cross country skiing, cooking, sewing, reading and photography. She also cherished her quiet times of respite at her family's cottage at Big Pond, where she could commune with nature and rejuvenate her spirit.

Bess was a woman of immense faith whose life was firmly anchored to her Lord Jesus, the Rock of her salvation. She was a member of the Canton Ecumenical Parish, where she taught the IHS Adult Sunday School Class for many years.

After her husband's passing in 2000, Bess soldiered forth, continuing to serve where needed, until her health began to decline. However, she remained as active and in touch with her family and friends as possible. She kept up on current events, read the latest books and communicated by e-mail. Bess was a true and loyal friend who always sought the good in everyone, and all whose lives she touched are richer for having known her.

Bess is survived by her son, Jeffrey (and Peggy) Clarke, of Canton; daughter, Jane (and Jerry) Wettstone; and sister, Anne (and Paul Bender), all of State College; grandchildren, Cindy Clarke (and fiancee, David DeFrancisco), of Anandale, Va., Janine (and Hugh) McPherson, of New Park, Jonathan (and Felicia) Wettstone, of Danvers, Mass.; great-grandchildren, Annie and Ian McPherson and Camryn and Cate Wettstone; three special nieces, Meg, Jennifer and Betsy. In addition to her husband, Bill, she was preceded in death by her brother, William L. Treager, Jr.

Visitation will be 1-2 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 28, at the Canton Ecumenical Parish. A celebration of her life will follow at 2 p.m. with Pastor Jerry Schmidt officiating. Memorial contributions may be directed to Canton Ecumenical Parish Memorial Fund, 43 N. Center St., Canton, PA 17724 or the Bradford County Library, West Burlington, PA 16947. Professional services have been entrusted to Morse & Kleese Funeral Home Inc., Canton.