Service:
A Private Remembrance will be held at a later date.
Alice passed away November 5, 2011, at home in Erie Beach, after a lengthy illness. Alice was born in Vancouver British Columbia in 1918 daughter of David Stuart Aitken and Hope Allison Park. Alice was both an accomplished skater and artist. She graduated from the Vancouver School of Art before moving to Chatham in 1936. Alice skated at the London Figure Skating Club until moving to Toronto during the war to work at Research Enterprises as a draftsperson. During this time, she met the love of her life, William Kendall Clarke (1986) and they were married in 1943. After the war, they returned to Chatham and Alice became the first instructor for the newly formed Chatham Figure Skating Club. She was involved until the late 50’s. In the 1960’s she was a co-founder of the Thames Theatre Artist Workshop and co-owner of the Fisheries Art & Craft Shop at Rondeau Park. Alice was a founding member of Studio 10, a group of Chatham’s well known artists in the 60’s & 70’s. Alice’s paintings can be found in both public and private collections across North America. She was also a Life Member of the Chatham May Court Club and past President of Sprucedale Home and School Association. Dear sister of the late Gilbert Stuart Aitken (1996). She leaves behind her two children Stuart Kendall Clarke and his wife Barbara of Kincardine and Caro Patricia Clarke and Robert Hatton of Erie Beach. Alice is also survived by three grandchildren, William Earl Crothers of St Catharine’s, Heather O’Brien of Guelph, and David Clarke of Fergus, 4 great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. At Alice’s request there will be no visitation or funeral; a private remembrance will be held at a later date. Donations in memory of Alice to a charity of your choice would be appreciated.
