Barbara J. Clark

Barbara Anne Jacoby Clark, aged 87, passed away on Sunday, August 13 2017.

Barbara Anne Jacoby Clark was born to Frank and Anne Weir Jacoby on November 5, 1929 in Philadelphia, Pa. a week after the financial system in the US crashed. This monumental event said much about the strength and determination that would define her as a person throughout her life. The middle daughter in the family, along with sisters Carol and Fran, the Jacoby girls lived in Glenside, PA in their early years before moving a few miles away over to Abington. PA. While the early years of the Depression were difficult enough for young families, the Jacobys suffered the terrible loss of their father at the age of 37 when Barb was only 7 years old. Her mother was forced to go to work outside the home to support them but, the family unit remained strong under the circumstances. Barb was the ultra busy outgoing member of the family and in constant motion. She made friends easily and claimed to know everyone in Abington. Fortune smiled upon Barbara, her mother and sisters when in the late 1930s the gentleman from down the street, a widower, “called upon” Mrs. Jacoby on Christmas Eve with his two sons. Howard Marsh, the neighbor became Barb’s “Dad” in 1940 when he married Anne Jacoby. The term blended family was not used in those days but the union of the Jacoby Girls and the Marsh Boys became a seamless blend of love, devotion and affection. Bob and Dick Marsh truly were brothers to Carol, Barb and Fran from then on, blood not withstanding.

Barbara was not only very social and a fine pianist, she was a good athlete who played field hockey and swam on the Abington High swim team. After high school she attended Ogontz Junior College in Abington graduating in 1949. She never spoke much about the academics at Ogontz but was proud of the fact that once a week all the students were required to undergo military drills in uniform marching with wooden shaped rifles. She was also proud of the fact that Ameilia Earhart was also a graduate of Ogontz.

At the conclusion of World War II, when all the young men returned home, Barbara was introduced to an Abington Alum who was raised in Glenside. So while she was still in high school she started dating Howard Clark. Weeks after Howard graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, Barbara married Howard G. Clark, Jr. on June 23, 1951. A year after they were wed, Sue arrived with Betsy joining the clan in 1957. Barbara, being the wife of a traveling salesman handled the majority of the chores and details of running the home during the workweek while Howard was away. She taught 4 year old Sunday School at Abington Presbyterian Church for many years and also served as President of the Abington Junior Women’s Civic Club. A girl scout herself, she was also a leader for Sue and Betsy’s Brownie and Girl Scout Troops. The Clarks resided in the Philadelphia area until 1966 then moved to Birmingham, Michigan while Howard worked automotive accounts for his company. A year later came another move to the home office of Howard’s company in Evansville, IN where Barbara and Howard set up home for the next 15 years. Their second home in the Evansville area was in a golfing community and her interest in playing tennis began to suffer as her interest in golf grew wildly. In 1981, with both daughters having left the nest, Barb and Howard relocated to Texas and to Trophy Club in Roanoke. Barbara’s interest in golf exploded as a player. But, she also enjoyed working with the junior golfers in the summer and worked as a scorer at the Byron Nelson Classic for many years. Barbara and Howard “retired” to Pecan Plantation Country Club in Granbury in 1995. Golf was still the center of their interests except when it was ski season in Colorado. It must be noted that snow skiing was not Barbara’s favorite activity, but being a good sport she tolerated it until announcing her retirement from the slopes at the age of 65 to sit and read in the warmth of the ski lodge and sip toddies. In 2015 Barbara chose to move closer to her family in Grapevine and resided at Atria at Hometown in North Richland Hills thereafter.

Barbara was a devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She loved life, a good joke, golf, a fine meal and the company of others.

She is a member of First Presbyterian Church in Granbury and has been attending Emmanuel Presbyterian In Bedford since her move to the Mid-Cities. Her laugh was not to be forgotten and will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

Preceding her to Heavenly Rest were her beloved husband, Howard Clark; her parents Frank Jacoby, Anne Jacoby Marsh and Howard Marsh. In addition, and missed by all in the family, are her brothers Bob and Dick Marsh, sister Carol Jacoby Atwood, sisters-n-law Clara Marsh and Ethel Clark and brother-in-law Bill Atwood; son-in-law Nick Marino.

Survivors are:
Daughter Suzanne Clark Pranke and husband Dane of Grapevine; daughter Elizabeth Clark Marino of Cypress , TX; sister Fran Jacoby Islin and husband John of Tequesta, FL; Grandchildren Mark B.Pranke (Molly) of Fort Worth; Kristen Pranke of NY, NY; Dominic Marino (Nicole) of Houston ; Andrea Marino of Houston; great-granddaughters Logan and Lily Pranke of Fort Worth. Extended family include many nephews, nieces, cousins and friends all across the country.

Barbara was loved, amused and respected by many. She will be missed.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society or
First Presbyterian Church in Granbury, Texas.