Grace Clarke, who retired from the Facilities Department in 2014 after serving at the College for 35 years, passed away Feb. 12, 2021 in Tampa, Fla., after a battle with cancer. She was 72.
Grace Elaine Clarke was born Sept. 27, 1948, in Kingston, Jamaica, and moved to the United States in 1984, settling in New London and joining the Connecticut College family. She was known as a smiling and ever-cheerful fixture on campus who was beloved by generations of students, many of whom thought of her as a second mother.
An avid gardener, cook and devoted fan of the Uconn women’s basketball team, She will be remembered for her infectious laugh and adoration of her family and friends.
She is survived by her husband, Leroy, and five children: Dermot Bedasse, Gary Atkinson, Courtney Graceson, Natalie Price and Tyrone Cunningham, as well as many grandchildren, nieces, nephews, siblings and friends.