Mary Elizabeth Clark (1949-2022)

Passionate, caring nurse educator Dr. Mary Beth Clark peacefully passed into everlasting peace and happiness in heaven on February 10, 2022, after unexpectedly experiencing a devastating cerebrovascular event. Mary Beth was the beloved wife of Judge Lawrence F Clark, Jr., (Ret.) her husband of 47 years and resided in Hershey, PA. She developed long lasting relationships with neighbors, colleagues and friends in Hershey, while mentoring the next generation of nurses at Penn State School of Nursing at Hershey Medical Center.
Mary Beth began her life in Wilkes-Barre, PA on August 15, 1949, as the first child of the late Joseph F. and Betty Hart Fisher of Wyoming Pa. In addition to her husband, she is also survived by her siblings, John Fisher and wife, Grace (Sheldon), of Dallas, PA; Joseph Fisher and wife Susan (Miller), of Charlotte, NC, nephew Jeffrey Fisher and wife Kasey and their 3 sons of Charlotte NC, niece Allison Fisher Grady and husband William and daughter Kate of Austin Tx,, Jean Fisher Nelson and husband, Eric Nelson of Foster City, CA, niece Elizabeth Marie Nelson of New York, New York, nephew Palmer Fisher Nelson of Foster City, CA.
As an Associate Professor of Penn State School of Nursing for over 30 years, Mary Beth led the program as the Coordinator, Hershey Campus for 15 years, established and led the Neonatal Nurse Practitioner program for 11 years, and led numerous award-winning research projects including her favorite quality improvement initiative, focused on interprofessional education to build better communication and relationships between nurses and doctors. This embodied Mary Beth's approach to life – collaboration, working together, supporting each other, being part of a village and living by the golden rule – "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."
Mary Beth was a lifelong learner. She was a 1967 graduate of St. John the Evangelist High School, Pittston, PA, and obtained her nursing diploma at Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in Wilkes-Barre, PA in 1970. She continued her education at Wilkes College where she obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing in 1973. Always pursuing her studies while working full-time, she completed her Masters of Public Administration at Penn State, a Master of Science degree in Nursing at Villanova University and achieved a Doctorate of Education at Temple University. Mary Beth was a mentor, role model, and an outstanding educator who charted new paths in the direction of nursing education. Although a renowned educator, she was a very modest woman. She always had a warm and direct manner of speaking, giving her complete and undivided attention to whomever she addressed.
In addition to her teaching responsibilities at Penn State, Mary Beth was elected for multiple terms to represent the School of Nursing, and later, all Penn State faculty retirees on the Faculty Senate. Most recently, she also served on the PA Health Care Cost Containment Council by a Governor's appointment.
In Mary Beth's personal life, she and her loving husband Lawrence shared a great love of gardening, especially for their famous tomato plants. Mary Beth truly loved spending her time at their home reading and relaxing at their pool. Mary Beth was charismatic yet unassuming, a rare combination in one so accomplished. She was beloved by family, friends, colleagues, and students alike.
Mary Beth will be missed by many, but her legacy will be carried on through the numerous lives she impacted as a nurse, friend, cousin, sibling, and wife. In addition, she had a positive influence on so many others through her sharing of knowledge and passion as a nurse educator with her students throughout her tenure at Penn State.
Services to celebrate and remember her life will begin on Wednesday, February 16th, in the Hoover Funeral Home, Hershey, PA where viewing hours will be held from 4 -8 PM; Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the St Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Hershey at 11:30 AM on Thursday, February 17th, with an additional hour of visitation beginning one hour prior to the Mass at the church. On Friday, February 18th the burial service will be held at 11AM in the chapel at St. Mary's Cemetery, Hanover Township, Wilkes-Barre, PA where Mary Beth will be laid to rest. God rest her soul.
Please share condolences with the family at www.hooverfuneralhome.com