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Susan Kaye Clark was born Aug. 11, 1935, to Harold Desmond Robinson and Joyce Robinson (née Liddington), in Northampton, Great Britain. She was raised by her aunt Doris Anderson, “Doll,” in Johannesburg, South Africa, during the war years in a neighborhood full of cousins and mango trees.

She returned to her parents at the age of 13, and her younger brother, Patrick William Robinson. She was head girl in her secondary school, Piper’s Corner, where she boarded and made lifelong friends. Susan was bright, excelling in writing, French, and maths. She achieved her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in maths from Exeter College in England. After graduating, “Kaye,” as she liked to be called, donned a navy-blue travel suit with bright apple-green trim and boarded a boat back to South Africa. There she caught the eye of one Donald V. Clark, who slipped a couple of shillings to the purser to seat her at his table. They danced from Portsmouth to Jo’berg, and were married a few years later.

When Jennifer was born, 1960, they decided that South Africa’s future was not for them. The young family landed in New York the next year, with little money, but lots of optimism. Malcolm was born three months later and the family was complete. Susan and Don raised their children to be practical, hard-working, and kind. In the early years they moved frequently as Don advanced in his career. Every move was treated like an adventure. Susan returned to work as a math teacher, and later returned to school and became a computer programmer.

Susan was always industrious, always trying new things, and enjoyed singing, playing the piano, playing chess with Don, and beating everyone at Scrabble. She volunteered extensively in the community and was particularly proud of her work for the Basking Ridge Women’s Shelter. Sue was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in October 2000. One of her responses to the illness was to take up ballroom dancing. So if you can imagine a woman dancing a tango while playing Scrabble and eating chocolate at the same time, you have captured Susan Kaye Clark.

Susan swept out of our lives March 24. She leaves behind her loving husband of 60 years, Donald V. Clark, and children Malcolm Clark and Jennifer Clark, and their spouses Rosie Clark and Carl Boland. Five grandchildren will miss her, Garrett Boland, Kel Boland, Izzy Clark, Hugo Clark, and George Clark. Susan leaves behind many friends and neighbors at Chester Village West, where she and Don have been very happy for the last seven years.

To share a memory of Susan, please visit www.rwwfh.com. Arrangements by Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home in Centerbrook.