Karen Sue Clark

5, 6, 7, 8

And 1… Karen Sue (Cassidy) Clark began the dance of Life on November 30, 1951 under the tutelage of Robert “Bib” and Delores (Wyzlic) Cassidy in Peoria, Illinois. Learning her first steps in Peoria’s historic Southside, she was proud of her Polish and Irish Catholic heritage. The middle of five children (Linda,
Bobby, Donna, and John) of the Cassidy troupe, Karen was the consummate peacemaker throughout her childhood and maintained a close camaraderie with all of her siblings.

Karen’s quick mind and helpful nature made her a star pupil throughout her education at St. Boniface School, Trewyn School, Manual High School, and eventually Illinois State University. Adamant that rules are established in order to know how to follow them (as well as how to bend them), Karen’s academic work was frequently used as an example by her instructors. While at Manual High School, Karen was a proud member of the cheerleading team, which showcased her nature as a person that could be counted on for encouragement. A proud Manual Ram her whole life, the color orange was her signature costume choice.

After graduating with a degree in education from Illinois State, Karen settled in the Peoria area,
eventually raising four children with Tom “TC” Clark. Together they raised their four children with realistic expectations and values focused on fortitude and character over monetary successes. To say the Clark household never lacked in self-confidence is an understatement. Karen was never one to mince words with her children and drew on the matter-of-fact environment she experienced growing up in the 50s and 60s when teaching them routines in this Dance of Life. She proudly stated that she never once had to call poison control because she didn’t sugar-coat what would happen if the kids got into household chemicals or cleaners. This parenting style wasn’t limited to her own children; rather, everyone was always welcome with Karen and she treated every character with equal measure.

Adding nine grandchildren: Tyler, Jessi, Megan, Luke, Carter, Joseph, Savvy, Olivia, and Addison, two great-grandchildren, Ashton, and another on the way, Xina, to the chorus line that tap-danced through her heart, she turned into a grandma that could be relied on for intelligence and play and imagination. Allowing a softer side to shine through, as frequently happens when achieving grand status, Steve (Amy), Tara (Mike), Shane (Megan), and Tammy laughingly tell their own children that their grandma was not the same woman that raised them! Shane would even add “that woman’s trying to get into heaven!” with a twinkle in his eye.

Preceded in death by her mother and father as well as her brothers, she maintained a calm assurance of her place in the afterlife. Throughout the Dance, Karen could be counted on to know precisely the next steps to take. She was honest and direct and a quiet beacon to anyone seeking guidance. Never one to showcase unnecessary drama in her performance of Life, she unabashedly raised one eyebrow in disdain toward ostentatious theatrics. Even in her final hours, she chose to exit the stage peacefully and with grace on December 23, 2021.

With a final bow, we invite all of Karen’s fellow dancers in this choreography of Life to share in her memory on March 26, 2022. Visitation at 9:00 am with rosary at 9:30 and memorial mass at 10:00 at St. Ann Catholic Church with Fr. Jeremy Freehill. Celebration of Life to follow at A Royal Remembrance at Grand Prairie from noon to 3:00. An educational scholarship fund has been established in her honor at Better Banks 1204 W Garfield Ave and contributions can be made payable to KAREN CASSIDY CLARK MEMORIAL FUND.