Jean Evelyn Wark, born April 26, 1926, to Reginald and Evelyn Clayton, joined her heavenly father on Tuesday, February 6, 2024. Prior to her passing and throughout her life, she was surrounded by loving family.
Jean graduated from Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal as a registered nurse. There she met and married the love of her life, J. Arnold Wark , in 1949, spending her honeymoon traveling from Montreal to Seattle. There she worked as an RN while her husband completed his residency in medicine. They moved to Morton, Washington, where they became co-owners of Morton General Hospital. While there, they developed Well Child Clinics throughout Lewis County to help serve families, a progressive idea at the time and an example of their commitment to the community.
Jean and Arnold raised seven children in Morton, encouraging each to pursue the dreams and paths right for them, giving them wings, and creating a circle of love. Jean was a giver in the community, serving in many roles including as a Cub Scout den mother, Girl Scout leader, and room mother in her children’s classrooms. She started a kindergarten, served on the Hospital Auxiliary Board, was actively involved in the Orthopedic Guild, donned her nursing cap when needed at the hospital, and was a member of Central Lutheran Choir as well as serving as the organist for many years. She was a woman of deep faith, a passionate seeker of knowledge, and a lover of the arts throughout her life. Jean enjoyed family adventures boating on weekends and in the San Juan Islands during the summer, traveling in the motor home, and spending time during the winter in the Palm Springs area. In her life she wove a quilt with many beautiful shapes and colors that symbolize her abundant love of family.
After her husband’s death in 1989, Jean was fortunate to meet and marry George “Heinie” Richels. They enjoyed sharing life in the Palm Springs area and in Chehalis until his death in 2000.
Jean was preceded in death by her husband of 39 years, J. Arnold Wark; her second husband, George “Heinie” Richels; her brothers Jack Clayton and Reg Clayton; and her parents. She is survived by her children Cathy (Scott) Carnahan; Jim (Doris) Wark; Susan (Neil) Amondson; Jill (Carl) Jagnow; Bob (Margie) Wark; Stephen (Janet) Wark; Stephanie Wark; as well as twelve grandchildren and twenty-three great grandchildren.
A service will be held at Central Lutheran Church, Morton, Washington, at noon on Saturday, March 9.
