Sue Ann Ljunggren Clarke entered into rest on July 13, 2016 at home surrounded by the love of her family.

She was the wife of James T. Clarke. Sue was born on November 11, 1952 to Sven and Harriet Ljunggren, then of West Haven, CT.

Sue attended North Branford High School and later graduated from Western Connecticut State College with a B.S. in Music Education. After completing her degree, Sue joined her husband, Tommy, where he was stationed in Seattle as a Lieutenant JG in the U.S. Coast Guard, serving on an icebreaker. Sue was employed by the Florida Board of Bar Examiners before becoming a full-time mother to her three children: Wendy Clarke Pfrenger, Daniel T. Clarke, and Katherine E. Clarke. Despite frequent relocations due to her husband’s military career, Sue remained active in music and education through her involvement with amateur musical theatre, church choirs, Girl Scouts, and part-time work as both a piano teacher and substitute teacher. Sue was also passionate about the natural world and about helping those in need. She worked as Emergency Services Director for the American Red Cross in Easley, SC; held office positions with United Way; and volunteered with Meals on Wheels, United Ministries, and her children’s schools. She was a member of the WELCA Circle and Prayer Shawl group at St. Michael Lutheran Church in Greenville, and in her spare time she enjoyed hiking, camping, and exploring the state and federal park systems with her husband, children, and grandchildren. Reflecting on her life, Sue said, “Family was most important to me, and I found great joy in life being Tommy’s wife and with our children and their families, as well as our extended family. How blessed I have been.” Sue was an endlessly caring mother and wife, ever ready to listen to friends and family when they needed a sympathetic ear. She was always up for an adventure, whether it was moving to New York City, tent camping with buffalo, caring for her son’s menagerie of snakes and frogs, or hiking to the Top of Texas at Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Her ability to bring order to chaos was legendary, but she never stopped finding beauty in the small things. She is survived by her mother and husband, her children and their spouses, and five grandchildren.

Gifts in memoriam may be made to the World Wildlife Fund, The Humane Society, Lutheran World Relief, or the Nature Conservancy.

A memorial service will be held at St. Michael’s Lutheran Church in Greenville, SC on July 23, 2016 at 11:00 am.