Mrs. Martha C. Clarke

July 5, 1925 - August 6, 2018

Mrs. Martha C. Clarke, 93, of Cortland, passed away August 6, 2018 at Cortland Regional Medical Center. Born July 5, 1925 in Colon, Panama the daughter of Colonel Milo Glen Cary and Martha L. Sutler, she was the daughter of a military officer. Martha was entirely and completely devoted to her family, and was kind and considerate to everyone she came into contact with. Martha traveled widely as a child, attending schools in the Philippines, Hawaii, Kansas, Illinois, Bayside, New York, and El Paso, TX. She was married for 66 years to her beloved late husband, Philip D. Clarke. They traveled widely together before and after moving to Cortland in 1960. In later years she assisted her husband at Clarke Brothers, a variety store that he owned and operated in Homer for over 30 years. In addition to her parents; Martha was preceded in death by her husband in 2014, her son; George W. Clarke in 2015, her son; Philip R. Clarke in 1997, and her sister; Lady Margaret Brand in 2006. Survivors include her children; Mary C. (Frank) Alverson of Jacksonville, Florida., Glen C. (Carol Guingo) Clarke of Cortland., Milo M. (Mary Papalia) Clarke of St. Augustine, Florida., Edward R. ( Kumiko Takuma) Clarke of Kitakyushu, Japan, Richard J. (Yuki Katagishi) Clarke of Winter Park, Florida., nine grandchildren and four great grandchildren. In keeping with Martha’s wishes there are no calling hours. Services will be at the convenience of family. Prayers of committal will be held privately in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.riccardifuneralhome.com Arrangements are under the direction of Riccardi Funeral Home, Cortland, N.Y.