Donna Rae Clark

July 23, 1966 -

Jan 21, 2020

Lifelong Alaskan Donna Rae Clark, 53, died of a sudden heart attack at home with her husband on Jan. 21, 2020. Born in Anchorage, Alaska, on July 23, 1966, she graduated from Dimond High School.

Her first marriage to Shaun Woods blessed her with daughter Michelle Rae Woods, born Halloween 1989. She married Melvin Dalton Clark on May 30, 1998, and was again blessed when their daughter Victoria "Tori" Rae-Yetta Clark was born April 10, 2001.

Donna successfully battled leukemia during her early 20s but her health was never robust afterwards. She and Dalton found a calling in fostering children after the unexpected death of Michelle to a brain tumor on July 4, 2005. Donna had a huge heart, loved her family fiercely and was passionate in improving the lives of children in the foster care system. She generously shared her talents, knowledge and encouragement with others.

Donna was active in her children's school activities and loved camping, boating, jet skiing, and four-wheeling with family and friends — she was the one who always remembered to bring the Grey Poupon mustard for Garrett's sandwiches and generally kept the group on target. She also enjoyed scrapbooking, diamond painting and photography, but her real super power was shopping!

Donna was predeceased by daughter, Michelle; and mother-in-law, Susan Braund-Clark, among others.

She is survived by her husband, Dalton; and daughter, Tori; many, many foster children, whose names are withheld for privacy; stepson, Wesley (Rebecca) Woods; sisters, Shari, Cyndi, Kaylynn, Stephanie and Angela; brothers, Rob and Allen; sister-in-law, Tezlyn "Sam" Clark; and many other loving family members and friends.

Dalton, her husband of 21 years, wrote: "She was my wife, my partner and my best friend. We have done so many things together, shared so many different experiences together, laughed together and cried together. Life will go on … but it will never be the same."

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 p.m., on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020, at the Bayshore Clubhouse, 3131 Amber Bay Loop in Anchorage, with a reception and light refreshments following.

In lieu of flowers, please donate in Donna's name to a children's charity of your choice.