Birthe M. (Siggaard-Jensen) Clarke

Birthe Marie (Siggaard-Jensen) Clarke of Peabody, MA, formerly of Barnstable County, MA and Acton, MA, died peacefully on September 24th, 2021 at the age of 91. She joins her husband of 58 years, John Maynard Clarke, in heaven.

Birthe was born in Haslev, Denmark to Johanne M. Knudsen and Peder E. Siggaard-Jensen. She became a registered nurse in Denmark and spent time in Oslo, Norway as a practicing nurse. In 1958, Birthe boarded a steamship and travelled to New York to start a one-year nursing exchange program to experience what the world had to offer. Her assignment was at The Deaconess Hospital in Boston, MA. There, she met her late husband, John “Maynard” Clarke, at a social gathering at the English Speaking Union on Commonwealth Avenue in Boston. They married in 1959 and had their three wonderful children. The Clarke family settled in Acton, MA and raised their children there. Birthe became an American citizen during a ceremony at Faneuil Hall in the 1980’s. After being in Acton for many years, they retired to Cape Cod for 27 years.

Birthe was an amazing cook and spent every holiday cooking for the ones she loved. She had a wonderful green thumb, tending to her garden and plants. She also had a great love for sewing and embroidery, creating personalized items for her friends and family.

Birthe was the best Mormor and Grandma to her grandchildren. She loved watching them grow into the beautiful adults they became. She adored her great-grandchildren and felt they were such a blessing to the world.

Birthe leaves her children Peter Clarke and the late Barbara Clarke of Richmond, KY, Ann-Marie Long and Frank Long of Danvers, MA, and Stephen Clarke and Robin Barron of Bennington, NH. She also leaves her sister, Edith “Ditte” Hardis and her husband Erik Hardis of Birkerød Denmark, She is also survived by her grandchildren Sean, Petra, Daniel, John, and Meghan and great-grandchildren Anna, Owen, Caroline, Francisco, and Evia. Birthe is survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

She is predeceased by her late brother, Jørgen Siggaard-Jensen, her husband, and her parents.

Family and friends are invited to a Funeral Mass, which will be held on October 23rd, 2021 at 9:00 AM at St. Richard Parish, 90 Forest St. Danvers, MA, 01923. In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation in Birthe’s name may be made to Children’s Hospital in Boston, which was near and dear to her heart.

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