Anna G. Clarke

Middletown, RI - Anna Kelleyhouse Clarke, 94, of 35 Ellery Avenue, Middletown, RI, died peacefully at the Grand Islander Nursing Home on Wednesday, January 27, 2010 of Pneumonia.She was the wife of the late Volney R. Clarke. Born in Glochester, MA on July 17, 1915, she was the daughter of the late Lemuel West and Annie Knutsford Thurston. When Anna was five years old, her mother Annie married Claude Kelleyhouse USN, and they moved to Newport.Anna graduated from Rogers High School class of 1934 and worked at Coit Photography Studio on Mary Street after graduation. Anna worked at the Peoples Credit Union on Thames Street and then worked for the Industrial National Bank for many years, retiring in 1976. Anna loved to paint and do quilting. She also was an avid knitter and loved to crochet baby outfits for her grandchildren when they were small. She also taught cake decorating at the Middletown High School Night School and kept busy with her club members. She was a member of the Edward King House and the Middletown Senior Center and kept active there working on the bake sales and Christmas Bazaars and was also a former member of Trinity Church. She is survived by her daughter Karen MacKnight, and her husband Paul of Middletown, RI, two grandchildren, Susan Dees and her husband Hank of Nashville, TN and Paul MacKnight, Jr. and his wife Kiely of Trumbull, CT and three great grand-daughters, Elle, Katherine and Lillian. She also leaves a niece, Beverly Campbell of Newport, RI. Her son Volney R. Clarke preceeded her in death in 2008 and she was the sister of the late Gordon Kelleyhouse. Her service will be held on Monday, February 1, 2010, at 1:30 pm in the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport, followed by burial at Middletown Cemetery, Corner of Turner and Wyatt Roads, Middletown.Donations in her memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, 931 Jefferson Blvd., Suite 3004, Warwick, RI 02886.