Christine C. Clark

Christine C. Clark, 89, born July 15, 1922, in Inchelium, Wash., to Alex and Lucy Hawk-Covington, passed away, her loving family by her side, on Thursday, May 24, 2012, in Grand Coulee. Christine graduated from Salem, Oregon’s Chemawa High School and went on to earn her Bachelor’s Degree from Evergreen State College in Olympia. A member of Nespelem’s Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Christine’s employment history included working for Nespelem Fire Control, as a guidance counselor at Grand Coulee Dam Junior High School, a lab tech at the Colville IHS and serving her neighbors as a Substance Abuse Counselor for the Colville Tribes.

In 1943 Christine married Jack Clark in Nespelem, with whom she spent 30 years. Christine’s favorite times were spent with her family, which included raising two grandsons and three granddaughters. Always known for having a great sense of humor and “occasionally” for being strong willed, in her younger years Christine loved to dance so much that she would sometimes sneak away to a dance in Nespelem, being careful to get back home before her parents. Known as the “Queen of Bingo” from Canada to Southern Idaho, Christine also enjoyed playing cards, loved animals and traveling, some of her special places being Lincoln City and Poulson, Mont., then in her later years spending Sunday nights with her daughters in front of the TV watching “The Walking Dead” series.

Before Christine entered this world, five of her older brothers and sisters: Johnny, Louie, Patrick, Willie and Elizabeth Covington died during the world-wide flu epidemic of 1918. Also predeceased by her daughter Pauline Clark; son John Clark; granddaughter Shannon M. Clark; grandsons: Steve Isom and Benjamin “Bubba” Clark; great-grandson Leeland; sisters: Mary Arnold, Cecelia Clark and Philomena Covington and brother George Covington.

Christine’s legacy lives on through her children: Myra Clark, Jackie Tynan, David Clark (Debbie), Margaret Gooler (Steve), Michael Clark (Nancy), Fred Clark (Pat) and Wendy Clark; numerous grandchildren; great-grandchildren; many nephews and nieces and her faithful four legged companions Tedrow and Tiki.

At Christine’s request, cremation has taken place. A 7 p.m., recitation of the Rosary was held May 28, at Nespelem Community Center, with a Memorial Mass held at 10 a.m., on Tuesday, May 29, followed by the burial of her urn in Hall Creek Cemetery, Inchelium.

Christine’s family requests that donations be made in her memory to your local humane society. Strate Funeral Home of Grand Coulee, is honored to be assisting Christine’s family. Friends and family may sign Christine’s on-line register book at http://www.stratefuneralhome.com.