Dorothy Clark, 96

Mary Dorothy Anno Clark, affectionately known as Dorth, peacefully passed away at home July 5, 2026. Dorth was born to Roy Anno and Mary McPherson Anno on Good Friday, April 18, 1930, in Wallace, Idaho, joining her brother, Bob. 

Growing up in the Northern Pacific Railroad yards, she told stories of hobos, puffer bellies and picking huckleberries on the mountain behind her home. She was a proud 1949 graduate of Wallace High School. She excelled in shorthand and typing and still has her pins proving she was the fastest WPM. She also played the clarinet in the band.

Dorth never forgot where she came from. It gave her great pleasure to tell people stories about her beloved Wallace. She attended as many town celebrations as she could and never missed a class reunion. She held a soft spot for the Wallace swimming pool, which still exists today. She played, worked and loved that pool. 

Dorothy met Bob Clark at Wallace High and followed him to the University of Idaho. She pledged the Alpha Chi Omega sorority. She continued her devotion to Alpha Chi after leaving college. She was a member of the AXO Alumni group and served as adviser to the treasurer of the Chapter House. Just last year, she was awarded her 75-year member pin. 

Bob and Dorothy were married Sept. 6, 1952, in St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Wallace. Eight days later, Bob was drafted into the Army. After Bob’s service, they returned to the University of Idaho to finish his degree and start his 35-year teaching career. They found an apartment on Mabelle Avenue. The neighborhood was filled with families who became forever friends. Bob and Dorothy bought a house two doors down, the perfect place to raise their children, Mary and Bill. Moscow became home.

Dorothy was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Her life revolved around her children. She led her son’s Cub Scout den group and worked many Lena Whitmore School carnivals. A devoted, longtime season-ticket holder, she attended Vandal football games and tailgate parties with her children and grandchildren.

While Dorothy’s children were growing up, her door was always open to their many friends. She was accepting and non-judgmental. Her home was a welcoming, safe place. She had a swear jar on the counter, which seemed to always be full. Her home was a revolving door for the kids; they always knew Dorth would listen and that they were always welcome. 

For 20 years, Dorothy participated in the cardio rehab program at Gritman Hospital. She developed special friendships while walking the treadmill and drinking coffee in the cafeteria after their workouts. She was thrilled to find herself and her exercise friends featured on a billboard advertising the cardio rehab program on Main Street. 

Dorothy is survived by her children, daughter Mary and John Lynn, and her son, Bill Clark. Her beloved grandchildren, Christina (Casey) Lindsley, Kimberly Lynn, and Will Clark.  Also, her nephew, Rob (Nancy) Anno, numerous nieces and nephews on the Clark side, and her dear cousin, JoAnne Rasmussen. She was embraced by the Lynn Family, who treated her as one of their own.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, parents, brother and cousin Alan Sanders.

Bob and Dorth loved to travel, and after Bob’s sudden death in 1991, Dorth kept that up. She was always ready for an adventure and never wanted to miss out on the party. She traveled across Canada by train and visited the Cayman Islands, Hawaii, Thailand, Singapore, Switzerland and Alaska, to name a few destinations. She was crowned the “Queen” by longtime friends Dave and Sharon Hood and Linda Accola. A name which Dorth embraced and with a twinkle in her blue eyes, added Queen of Sin! Just last week, in her last days, she introduced herself as such to the hospice chaplain, which brought a smile and a loud laugh from him.

Our sweet mom, forever the Wallace girl, always an Idaho Vandal and our Queen, we will miss you.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests gifts, in memory of Dorothy, to: Robert W. Clark Accounting Scholarship Endowment, University of Idaho Foundation, 875 Perimeter Drive, MS 3143, Moscow, ID 83844-3143, or online at www.uidaho.edu, or to: City of Wallace for the Wallace Swimming Pool, 703 Cedar St., Wallace, ID 83873.

A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at Moscow Cemetery. All are welcome. Reception to follow at 12:30 at the University Inn. A special thank you to the Family Resource Home Care Service and Elite Hospice for their kindness, care and compassion.  Also, thank you to Shorts Funeral Chapel, which is handling the arrangements. Arrangements have been entrusted to Short’s Funeral Chapel of Moscow and condolences may be left at www.shortsfuneralchapel.com.