We tried but couldn’t stop her; she was determined to be with Dad.
Teresa Mildred Clark (nee Henry), 94, of Santa Barbara, California, passed away peacefully on May 28, 2026. She was a cherished mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend. Her positive and giving spirit will be deeply missed.
Teresa was born in London, Ontario, Canada, on Jan. 14, 1932, to Sarah Mildred Campbell and Joseph Bernard Henry. Born during the Great Depression as the last of 13 children, she was an incredibly strong woman. She graduated from St. Joseph’s Hospital in London,
Ontario in 1953. A registered nurse for over 50 years, she worked nights in order to take care of her children. She was our North Star who brought happiness to, and brightened the lives of, all who were fortunate to have known her. Her infectious smile and loving hugs will be missed.
Teresa loved to socialize, taking every opportunity to make friends, especially at her favorite places, Goleta Beach and Hendry’s Beach.
Teresa is survived by her children, Michele DeMaris of Kalispell, Montana; Catherine Murillo of Littleton, Colorado; Tom Clark of Gillette, Wyoming; Anne Clark of Soderkoping, Sweden; Mary Schaffer of Lakewood, Colorado; Vincent Clark, Jr. of Dalum, Sweden; Teresa Gritt of Sagle, Idaho; Maureen Clark of Bradenton, Florida; 23 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband of 36 years,
Vincent Clark, Sr., son, Sean Patrick Clark, grandson, Joseph Murillo and great grandson, Liam Murillo; as well as six siblings (Philip, J.B. “Bud”, Bill, Sarah “Louise”, Larry, and Bernice) and six half-siblings (Wilfred, Marguerita Anna, Gerald, Mary Helen, Ray, and Kathleen), all of Ontario, Canada.
Teresa and her family are forever grateful to her caregivers at Covenant Living at The Samarkand, Sr. Helpers and Right at Home, and to her friends and neighbors at St. Vincent’s Villa Caridad. Monica and Rosibel, you were family to Teresa.
To honor Teresa, please do something today that she loved: take a walk on the beach; give a loved one an extra long hug; or sit in the sun, enjoying a good cup of coffee. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Teresa’s memory to Food from the Heart, P.O. Box 3908, Santa Barbara, CA, 93130.
(Obits that are contributed by members of the public to the Santa Barbara News-Press are published free of charge. The News-Press does not edit for content or Associated Press style. Please send your contributed obits to jmolina@newspress.com)
