Melva Norene Mackay Clark

OAKLEY - Melva Norene MacKay Clark, 86, of Oakley, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2015, at her home.

Norene was born May 6, 1928, at Murray, Utah. Her parents were John Rex and Melva Maud (Pugh) MacKay. She joined an older brother, Boyd, and then her sister, Marian, was born. At age 3, her musical ability began as she sang for the family reunion. The trips to see cousins in California were very special. John Ralph and her twin sisters, Jeanne and Joyce, next joined the family.

Norene was in bed with polio at age 8 ½ and unable to go to school until March 1939. This gave her great empathy for handicapped people. It was very hard for Norene to not play the piano during these years. She truly loved the piano. Because of her brother's help and teachers coming to the house, she was able to skip the 3rd grade and was caught up with the 4th grade class. She was a good reader, and loved math and English. The school music teacher gave her lessons and then her Aunt Bernice taught her. She enjoyed playing piano at the schools and even the dancing school. A couple from the Juilliard School of Music then taught Norene. She would teach piano lessons for 50 cents in order to have money for music and lessons. In 1946, Norene graduated from Granite High School. She gave her solo piano recital and entered the University of Utah. Soon after, she received her letter of acceptance into the Juilliard School of Music.

During a meeting with her bishop, Norene changed her plans and went on a mission to the Great Lakes Mission. While at the mission home, she met Elder Thomas Clark, who later became her husband on April 9, 1952, in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. Norene and Tom moved to Oakley where she began teaching piano lessons. Numerous students had the privilege of being taught by her. Because of her early years, Norene had a love for teaching anyone interested; even if they had a learning or physical disability, she would give them her wisdom and love. They grew to love music through her teachings and example. For many years, Norene was a member of the Music Club. She was able to conduct a group of women called “The Singing Mothers” and they were able to sing at the General Relief Society meeting of the LDS Church in Salt Late City, Utah. She had a positive nature and never regretted giving up her concert career. She found a great love in teaching others.

Tom and Norene's family grew to include six children. Family trips to Utah, Washington, and California, were highlights. Their lives were busy with missions, graduations, marriages, and grandchildren. Norene made sure that each of her children played a musical instrument.

Soon after marrying Tom, Norene had a great desire to do genealogy. Research was done by family members and Norene was grateful when books were published with the information she had collected. For many years, she looked forward to the DUP (Daughters of Utah Pioneers) monthly meetings. Norene's heritage meant a lot to her. The people that were alive and those that had passed on became a part of how she was in life. Her love of history also included collecting newspaper articles for people in her life. There are many binders filled with these beautiful moments.

Norene's hobbies also included sewing. She made beautiful dresses for her sisters and daughters. The Oakley Valley Arts Council was important in her life. She enjoyed making scrapbooks of the various plays, and was also involved in the music of many performances. Family traditions such as Easter egg hunts, Thanksgiving talent shows, and family Christmas parties were important to her, and will continue on. Every Christmas time a group of friends got together and went caroling. Norene looked forward to the Lawrence Welk weekly shows and the movie, “The Sound of Music” were her favorites to listen to. Norene also would write weekly letters to the family and this has now become her journal.

As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Norene had a strong testimony that carried her though life. At a young age, Norene would practice from 5 until 6 a.m., while her father read the scriptures. She loved studying the scriptures and had a grace of teaching. The Spirit truly testified through her. She had a strong testimony of tithing. For many years she was the ward organist, and also the Primary chorister. The hymn “The Lord is My Light” helped Norene through many trials. She loved the Mormon Tabernacle Choir broadcast each Sunday and also General Conferences.

Norene is survived by her husband, Thomas Harrison Clark; their children, Thomas Harlo (Beckie) Clark, Melva Jane Clark (Mark) Peterson, Matthew Kay (Melanie) Clark, Byron Harrison (MaryBeth) Clark, Jonetta Rachel Clark (Jeremy) Dillon, and John Winder (Melissa) Clark; 20 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; brother, Boyd (Gayle) MacKay; and sisters, Joyce M. Parsons and Jeanne M. (Dick)Jensen.

Norene was preceded in death by her parents, John Rex MacKay and Melva Maud Pugh MacKay; sister, Marian M. Fuller; brother, John Ralph MacKay; daughter-in-law, Marie Keating Clark; grandson, Porter Harlo Clark; and a granddaughter, Lydia Rachel Clark.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, March 9, at the Oakley LDS Stake Center, 355 N. Center Ave., in Oakley, with Bishop Jim Cooper officiating. Burial will be in the Oakley Cemetery.

Friends and family may call from 6 until 8 p.m. Sunday, March 8, and from 10 until 10:45 a.m. Monday, both at the Oakley Stake Center.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Rasmussen Funeral Home of Burley.