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April 29, 2010 | Vol. 5, No. 15
At the inauguration of the D.B. Clarke Theatre held Feb. 7, 1970. Left to right: Chancellor Fraser F. Fulton, Iris Fulton, Principal John W. O’Brien (who would become Rector in 1974 and later speaker of Senate), Joyce O’Brien, Douglass Clarke and Dorothy Clarke.
It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Dorothy Clarke (née Adams) on April 11. She was 91.
Dorothy Clarke (S BA 64) was one of the most integral members of the SGW and Concordia communities. Sister of longtime SGW registrar and music teacher Ken Adams (S BSc 47), she came to SGW as an art student in the mid-30s to study drama. It was in 1937 when she met Douglass Burns (D.B.) Clarke – her drama professor. The two were married shortly thereafter. She didn’t finish her degree then, choosing instead to raise their children, Hugh and Barbara. She would later return as a part-time student to complete her degree in the same 1964 class as her daughter.
Douglass spent his entire career at SGW and Concordia as a student, English and drama professor, and in various administrative roles including Registrar, Vice-Principal Academic and Acting Principal and Vice-Chancellor. He retired in 1969. The couple was a staple at every major SGW event from the 30s until D.B. Clarke died in 1979.
Following his death, Dorothy stayed involved with the SGW pensioners association and attended many reunion events. She was also archivist of the Unitarian Church.
Douglass Clarke and Dorothy Adams appear in the 1938 SGW production of Othello. In a book celebrating the 60th anniversary of the first SGW graduating class of 1937 (of which Douglass was a member), Dorothy wrote of her future husband: “It was during this production that we became engaged in the most unromantic place you could imagine… in his office over the desk. A little peck on my brow sealed the deal.”
“Douglass and Dorothy Clarke were deeply involved in and committed to all aspects of Sir George Williams and later Concordia,” says Archives Director Nancy Marrelli. “Dorothy lived through much of the early history, then carried with her decades of our institutional memory and endless support for Concordia and the values it embodies. Our community has lost a great supporter and a caring friend.”
The memorial service will be at the Unitarian Church of Montreal (5035 De Maisonneuve Blvd.), May 8 at 2 p.m. To make a donation in her name in lieu of flowers, call ext. 3884.
Page Title: In Memoriam: Remembering Dorothy Clarke (née Adams) - Concordia University - Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Page URL:http://cjournal.concordia.ca/archives/20100429/in_memoriam_remembering_doro...p
Date Printed: Fri April 19, 2024
