Clarke, Barbara Jean Kee

Barbara Jean Kee Clarke Nov 22, 1923 to June 30, 2010 Barbara
Jean passed away peacefully on the last day of June. She was
born in Santa Rosa, CA, the youngest of the three children of
George and Mae Kee. Her entire childhood was spent at the
ranch at Kee Gulch on Irish Hill, Bodega Bay. Her family
ancestors were the pioneer settlers of the area in the 1860's.
Barbara attended the one-room schoolhouse Ocean View near
her ranch, and went on to Tamales Union High School where
she graduated in 1942. She lived for a number of years in San
Francisco and Cotati, then in Portola Valley for the last six
years of her life. But her heart belonged to Sonoma County.
The love of her life was Russell P. Clarke, a lawyer and real
estate developer who was a native San Franciscan and proud
graduate of Santa Clara University and Law School. They made
their home in Cotati and raised four children there. BJ and Russ
were dedicated hikers who reached the summit of Mount St.
Helena over 40 times, and headed out to the trails of Point
Reyes weekly whenever they could. Barbara Jean was a prolific
organic gardener who loved to share the bounty of her garden
with family and friends. Her dedicated role as housewife and
mother suited her well. She will be remembered by her
kindness and easy-going personality. BJ was a good neighbor,
a good friend, a good person-and a wonderful mother. Her
ten grandchildren became her proudest accomplishment and
she delighted in the fun they had together. She is survived by:
Dr. Russ Clarke of Savannah, GA; Julie Clarke of Salinas, CA;
Peter Clarke of Portland, OR; Polly Stephenson of
Hillsborough, CA; and ten grandchildren. Barbara Jean was laid
to rest in a private gathering surrounded by her family. A
memorial celebration of her life will be held on Sunday August
1st, 2 pm, at Valley Presbyterian Church at 945 Portola Road,
Portola Valley with a reception to follow in Hillsborough. In
lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Luther
Burbank Gardens of Santa Rosa, CA or the Hanna Boys Center
of Sonoma, CA.

Published in San Francisco Chronicle on July 7, 2010