Obituary of Melda Jean Clark

CLARK: Melda Jean

Melda Jean Roache was born to Eugene (d. 2013) and Sarah Roache (d.1998) on September 27, 1957 in Lockeport, Nova Scotia. The third of four children, after Myers (Ceinwen, d. 1995, Susan, d. 2024) and Edsel (Ruth) and 3 years before her little brother Francis (Wendy), with whom she got into no end of mischief. Her heart was broken when he tragically passed in 2021. She had a love for school and education from the beginning, completing high school with winning the Lieutenant Governor Award and the Birks Medal for Leadership in Student Affairs. 

She and her cousin Sandra left for Nova Scotia Teachers College in Truro that September. She met several friends at college that she still held dear.

On July 21, 1976 Melda met a scruffy, skinny, long-haired fella named Glenn from Havelock, Ontario while walking on Lockeport beach and decided to give him a chance. 

They wrote letters back and forth, and Glenn made the trek between many times, before getting married in Lockeport in the summer of 1979.

Melda was one of only two teachers when Muskoka Christian School opened their doors in 1978. She made the move to Rhema Christian School in Peterborough in 1979 where she was a patient, creative, understanding, and very well- loved teacher.

She and Glenn became afflicted with a hideously ugly baby boy, Jeremy (Dana), in

1981 who had endless photo albums dedicated to him, befitting his status as first born. 

Luckily, in 1984 they welcomed Allison, an angelic baby girl who slept through the night while they admired her beauty and cherished each sound she graced them with. It went something like that, anyway.

In 1997, they moved to Marmora, Ontario to work at McConnell Funeral Home. They took a leap of faith together in 2004 and purchased Monk Funeral Home in Bobcaygeon. She loved her time in Bobcaygeon, having coffee each morning with friends, including her dear friend Frances, and sharing stories of the family's beloved cat, Sir Sigmund Alexander of Clark Crossing MBC, UE, DM. They sold the funeral home in 2014 and moved back to Melda's childhood home in Lockeport in 2019.

Melda was never afraid to reinvent herself. A teacher, public speaker, storyteller, funeral home owner, author, litter collector, cardio queen, family historian, and mental health advocate. Her final adventure was baking. She and Glenn turned it into a business, and she adored every second of going to markets and trying new recipes.

Her 3 grandchildren, Isaac, Greta, and Madeleine, were the beat in her heart. She was always a soft place to land, ready with a book or a story, and howled at every wildly inappropriate joke they’d tell her. She lacked any ability to tell them “No” and would happily have them alongside to bake anything they wanted. Always up for an adventure with her family, she could be found on a spur of the moment road trip, trying to lure in some mackerel, on board a whale watching boat, singing along to their musical theatre productions and even sea kayaking.  She was a fun aunt who loved laughing and spending time with all of her nieces and nephews;  Jason, Darcy, Cynthia Joy, Tim, Maria, Jennifer, Kyle, Ryan, Jordan, Richelle and the late Jonathan who passed in 2001.

Although her final months were marked by mental health struggles, we remain eternally grateful for the years, memories, and all the laughter and love we shared. During this time, her longtime friends Denise and Wendy offered her great comfort.  

Ontario friends and family, please join us in celebrating Melda’s incredible story and life at a visitation to be held at The Hendren Funeral Homes, Monk Chapel, 6 Helen Street, Bobcaygeon, Ontario, K0M 1A0, on Sunday, August 3, 2025 from 1:00 – 3:00 PM, followed by a funeral service at 3:00 PM in the chapel.

To her Nova Scotian family and friends, please join us at Huskilson’s Funeral Home, 58 Bulkley St., Shelburne, Nova Scotia, B0T 1W0, on Monday, August  11, 2025 from 1:00 – 3:00 PM, followed by a funeral service at 3:00 PM in the chapel.  Burial to take place in Osborne Cemetery.

In keeping with Melda’s love of education, the family appreciates donations towards a bursary in her name. At this time, please make cheques payable to Glenn Clark, and the monies will be deposited into the bursary once it is set up. You can mail your donation to either funeral home listed above. This will support one student from the Lockeport area pursuing post-secondary education.