Born: August 11, 1897
Died: August 16, 1972
Sister Mary Eileen Clark the first principal of St. Bernard's School.
Adirondack Daily Enterprise, August 16, 1972
SISTER EILEEN, 75, DIES IN WATERTOWN
WATERTOWN — Sister Mary Eileen, the first principal of St. Bernard's Catholic in Saranac Lake, died at the age of 75 Sunday in the Madonna Hospital in Watertown.
Sister Eileen served as principal from 1923 until 1938 and again from 1944 until 1966.
In the interim she attended Catholic University of America where she received her masters degree in education.
Before her illness, Sister Eileen was for nearly 25 years diocesan and community supervisor for the elementary schools in the Diocese of Ogdensburg. She was 75 years old Friday, two days before her death.
Surviving her are four sisters, Mrs. Edward Cotter, Ogdensburg, Mrs. Frank Thoman, Clayton, Sister Mary Leonore, R.S.M. St. Patrick's Convent, Omaha, Neb., and Miss Sarah Clarke, Massena; and four nephews, Rev. Lawrence Cotter, Wadhams Hall, Ogdensburg, Rev. Robert Cotter, Constableville, Rev. Charles Cotter, Antwerp, and Maurice Cotter, [sic]
Another sister, Sister M. Irene Clarke, R.S.M., who for years taught in the Ogdensburg diocese, died in 1923. Sister Eileen was born August 11, 1897 at N. Stockholm, a daughter of Robert and Julia Crean Clarke, who were natives of Ireland. She entered the order of Religious Sisters of Mercy Sept. 8, 1921 at Gabriels, where the motherhouse was then located. She made her first profession Aug. 29, 1924 and final profession Sept. 24, 1927.
At one time she served as a member of a community advisory board established in 1960 at the former provincial house of the order at Wilson Park, Tarrytown, for the formation of the Sisters of Mercy of the province of New York and for the works of the institute.
An excellent teacher and organizer. Sister did much to raise the standards of education in the elementary schools, both the public and private sectors, in Northern New York for nearly 50 years. Sister was associated with the late Monsignor Arthur Leary, who for many years directed the parochial school system in the Ogdensburg diocese as diocesan superintendent of schools. Sister Mary Eileen's brother, the late Dr. John Clarke, professor of biological sciences, was a distinguished member of the faculty of the Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C. for many years. Dr. Clarke collaborated with Dr. John Parker, chairman of the biology department, in writing a text book on biology for college students.
Sister Mary Eileen received her early education at St. Joseph's Academy. Brasher Falls. She was state certified for the elementary school and prior to her entrance into religious life, taught in the public schools, both at Potsdam and Canton.
During Sister Mary Eileen's career as a Sister of Mercy she served in the fallowing capacities: 1923-1933, first principal and eighth grade teacher, at St. Bernard's school, Saranac Lake, 1938-1940, leave of absence to study at Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C., from which she received a master degree in education; 1940-1942, faculty of St. John's Academy Plattsburgh 1944-1986, diocesan and community supervisor of elementary schools, Diocese of Ogdensburg; 1966-1969, part-time teacher and assistant librarian in St. Joseph's School, Brasher Falls. In 1969, she was admitted to Mercy Hospital and subsequently to Madonna Home, where she remained until her death.
The funeral will be in St. Joseph's Chapel of Mercy Hospital at 11:30 Wednesday morning. Burial will be in the Sisters of Mercy plot in Glenwood Cemetery.
Friends may call at the McAulcy Hall of the hospital beginning this afternoon.
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