Janet P. Clarke

Janet Shirley Phipps Clarke, 65, of Sanford, passed from her husband's hands into her loving Savior's arms after a hard-fought battle with diabetes at the Gosnell Hospice House in Scarborough on Sunday, February 17, 2008. Jan was born in Portland on September 20, 1942 to Orrin H. and Elizabeth Sperry Phipps. She grew up in a loving home in Yarmouth and attended local schools. She graduated from North Yarmouth Academy and went on to earn her BA in education from the University of Maine in Gorham. She continued her course work in education throughout her life and in time, had the equivalent of a master's degree. On November 19, 1965, she married James Daniel Clarke, who remained her loving and faithful husband until her passing.Mrs. Clarke lived her entire adult life in Sanford. Her teaching career began at Longfellow Elementary School in Sanford and would eventually take her through virtually every elementary school in the Sanford/Springvale area. She was instrumental in beginning the English as a Second Language (ESL) program in the Sanford school system. Throughout her life, Jan actively supported her children, attending countless sporting events. She would also travel thousands of miles to see them and their families. She was active in the fireman's auxiliary, a sorority, and Sanford First Baptist and Curtis Lake Christian Churches. Surviving are her husband, Jim of Sanford; a son, James W. Clarke and his wife Becky of Dallas, TX; a daughter, Bethany Sinclair and her husband Craig of Seattle, WA; her father, Orrin Phipps; a brother, Bill and his partner Pam Rogers; six grandchildren, Alyssa, Brianna, Daniel, Ellie, Matia and Aaron and many nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews.A period of visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 PM on Friday, February 22, 2008 at Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home, 580 Main Street in Springvale. A funeral service will take place at 11:00 AM on Saturday, February 23rd at Pleasant Street Free Baptist Church in Springvale. Interment will be in the spring at Riverside Cemetery in Springvale.In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be sent to establish a scholarship for further education in Jan's name to the Principal's Office for ESL Students, 52 Sanford High Blvd., Sanford, ME 04073.To leave a message of condolence for the family, please click on the condolences tab to the left.