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Sharon “Sherry” DeLeeuw Clark

Sharon “Sherry” DeLeeuw Clark, 82, of Essex, passed away peacefully at Middlesex Hospital on April 20,2024, after a brave fight with cancer. She was born in Chicago, Illinois on Oct. 29, 1941, to Robert and Louise (Grigsby) DeLeeuw, and was the oldest of their four children.

Her family moved to Madison in 1950, where she met her future husband, Herbert T. Clark III. After graduating from Daniel Hand High School, Class of 1959, she earned her A.B. in French from Douglass College at Rutgers University, Class of 1963. Later, as an adult learner, she pursued and received a Master’s in liberal studies from Wesleyan University. Sherry and Herb were married on Jan. 11, 1964, and this year they celebrated their 60th anniversary. Sherry and Herb settled in Essex, raised their three children, and were extremely active in the local community. Sherry was involved in philanthropy, leadership, volunteer activities, and family businesses, including the Essex Historical Society, Essex Land Trust, Essex Library Association, Bushnell Farm, George C. Field Company, and Community Foundation of Middlesex County, among others. Music was always very important to her, and for decades she was an enthusiastic participant in Capella Cantorum.

She very much enjoyed cooking and baking (and was especially known for her fresh bread), planting and harvesting from the vegetable garden, and keeping an extensive fresh herb garden. The family raised sheep on the farm in Essex, and Sherry would dye the wool with marigolds from the garden, spin the wool on authentic antique spinning wheels, and knit sweaters from the wool. Everyone in the family wore her hand-knit sweaters. She loved to swim laps in the pool, enjoyed time on the water on one of the family’s many boats, was fond of spending time at the family’s farm in Vermont, and traveled quite a bit. She enjoyed exploring and researching family ancestry, and documented extensively her family history, as well as having a keen interest in researching and writing about local history.

Most important to Sherry was her family. She will be missed dearly by those left behind: her husband Herb: children, Elizabeth (Heather), Sarah and Tryon (Melissa); and grandchildren: Thea Fraser (John), Eliza Fraser, Claire Monagle, Alexa Clark, Tryon Clark Jr. and Gavin Clark; siblings, Mariana Kasper, Denise Snodgrass and David DeLeeuw (Judy) ; as well as nieces and nephews and their families.

Over her last months, Sherry came in contact with caring people working in healthcare. She talked about how she appreciated their compassion and their journeys that they chose to share. Her cancer battle was positively influenced by many wonderful people. Sherry was an intelligent and thoughtful person, a good listener, and will be remembered to many as a “feisty lady.”

A celebration of Sherry’s life will take place at noon on May 18 at Centerbrook Meeting House, 51 Main St., Centerbrook. A reception will be held following. Burial is private. In lieu of flowers, Sherry’s family suggests a donation to Essex Historical Society, Essex Land Trust, Essex Library Association or Kiva.org (an international nonprofit with a mission to expand financial access to help underserved communities thrive).

To share a memory of Sherry or send a condolence to her family, please visit www.rwwfh.com. Arrangements are in the care of the Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home in Centerbrook.