Janice Finnegan Clark, 79, passed away on June 23, 2024, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Bryan, TX. She was born in Winchester, MA, the third of four children to Thomas Finnegan and Marguerite Chaisson. Janice was a new resident to Bryan, Texas at the time of her passing.
Janice moved from Cobleskill, NY to Bryan, TX in the late summer of 2023. She was a resident at the Parc at Traditions. Janice very much loved her new home, new friends, and new activities. Her move from NY to TX was prompted by the opportunity to enjoy warmer winters and be able to be with her 3 great-grandchildren.
Janice was a devoted wife of 42 years to Bruce B. Clark who predeceased her in death in 2009. Janice and Bruce graduated from Burnt Hills – Ballston Lake Central School. Janice graduated from the State University of New York (SUNY) at Potsdam with a degree in education. Janice also earned her master’s degree in education from SUNY Potsdam. She received her school administration certification from St. Lawrence University. Janice and Bruce married in 1967. They became an Army family and made their home in Colorado, Missouri, Alaska, Seneca NY, and Ft. Drum, NY. Along the way, 2 daughters were born to the Clarks. The Clarks raised their daughters in Gouverneur, NY and called it home for 37 years.
Janice worked in education championing children’s literacy for over 30 years. She was a reading specialist, served as the head of the New York State Compensatory Programs at Gouverneur Central Schools, served as the Assistant Superintendent for Heuvelton School District, and served as Principal of St. John’s Catholic School in Bartlesville, OK.
Janice was passionate about children’s literacy. She credited reading as the foundation of lifelong education, personal joy and achievement. Janice advocated for children throughout her life. She started a summer reading program in Gouverneur, NY. The Book Mobile was a roving library that visited rural neighborhoods and areas where access to summer reading was limited. After retirement, Janice continued to promote literacy through her volunteerism. She was a board member of The Community Library of Cobleskill, NY and she volunteered as a Librarian at St. James Catholic School in Gouverneur, NY.
Janice spent many summer vacations with her family in Raquette Lake, NY with her late dear friend, Priscilla Nisiewicz. She also frequently took summer vacations to Maine with family. Janice loved to explore and experience new things. She liked to be challenged and was always working toward a new goal. Her travels took her to many destinations in the United States, as well as Nova Scotia, Ireland, France, and Scotland with family and friends. Janice loved bird watching, tennis, walking, card games with friends and attending Mass at St. James in Gouverneur, NY, Nativity Catholic Church in Burke, VA, St. Vincent de Paul in Cobleskill NY, and St. Anthony’s in Bryan, TX.
She was beloved.
Janice Finnegan Clark is survived by her two daughters; Meggan (Joe Orenstein) and Paula (William J. Murphy); five grandchildren, Thomas, Patrick and Hannah Murphy and Matthew and Frank Orenstein; and three great-grandchildren, Archer, August and Violet Murphy. She is also survived by her three siblings; Tom Finnegan, Larry Finnegan (Karen) and Peggy Williamson (Christopher) as well as several nieces and nephews. She will be missed by many dear friends including Janice Peters and Margaret Hopsicker.
A funeral Mass will be held in Gouverneur, New York on September 26, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. at St. James Church. Burial will follow at Stark Cemetery in South Colton. Arrangements are with French Funeral Home in Gouverneur. Condolences may be shared online at www.frenchfuneralhomes.com.
In lieu of flowers, if you want to honor Janice through donations to causes dear to her heart you may consider a contribution in her name to the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store, Bryan, TX (204 E. 24th Street 77803), The Community Library in Cobleskill, NY (110 Union St. 12043) and St. James School in Gouverneur, NY (20 S. Gordon St. 13642).
