Mrs. Sadako Okano Clarke

Sadako Okano Clarke was born July 31, 1934 in Harubin City, China. She grew up in Chigasaki, Japan with her father, Hakuichi Okano, her mother, Haruko Ohara, and her 4 sisters, Sumiko, Toshiko, Tomiko and Kazuko. Sadako would go on to have a family of her own, marrying David Sterling Clarke Jr. in 1965. Sadako and David met at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. Together, they raised two daughters, Kathy and Jessica, and five Grandchildren, Max, Adam, Naomi, Paul and Aaron, while being married for 56 years. She brought God's light into every room she entered and shared her joy with countless loved ones. Sadako's light and joy connect her to family, friends, colleagues and students all over the world, who will remember her as the "brilliant," "brave," and "completely original" woman she was.

Sadako studied at the National Teachers College in Tokyo and went on to teach 1st and 2nd grade at Peace School in Chigasaki. Even after decades, she remained close to many of her students, being invited back to class reunions with former pupils in their 50s. In 1959, Sadako earned a scholarship at Greensboro College in North Carolina. She moved to the United States for her studies at the age of 25, and would go on to earn 3 Masters Degrees in Christian Education, Elementary Education, and Linguistics at Emory University, Roosevelt University and Southern Illinois University (SIU) respectively. Sadako published and presented research on Language Testing while teaching courses on Japanese Language and Culture at SIU, NC State, Middlebury University, as well as Kansai Gaidai University in Osaka and SIU's Niigata campus in Nakajo. Sadako built deep and long lasting relationships with many of her students, especially supporting international students in Carbondale, Illinois and serving as the faculty advisor for the Japanese Student Association.

Sadako was also an accomplished artist with a range of creative interests. As a member of the Associated Artists Gallery in Carbondale, Illinois for 19 years, she worked mainly in sumi painting, as well as calligraphy. Her works were exhibited and sold in different galleries, such as the 2001 show "Paper, Clay, and Ink," where Sadako's sumi paintings were presented alongside the ceramicist Lois Lembcke and her sister Sumiko Habara, a master of the paper art, chigiri-e. The love of flowers present in her paintings extended into other creative work. Sadako was a nationally accredited judge in flower shows for 12 years, and taught classes on the art of flower arrangement called Ikebana. She also served on the committees that established Japanese gardens at both the Carbondale Public Library and SIU Campus.

Most importantly, Sadako brought people together. Sadako illuminated every large gathering or passing interaction with the generous glow of that understanding. She was an amazing host. So alongside her accomplishments as an educator, artist and community leader, Sadako will be remembered for being a child of Cod, a grandmother and mother, and for her spirit and her smile, her singular sense of humor and her soprano singing. Sadako had the remarkable ability to be both the star of any space, while making each of us feel like we were right there with her, shining, seen, and indescribably special. We all know why, because with Sadako, her giftedness was always on full display. It must have been her wisdom; it must have been her love.

In November of 2023, Sadako traveled with her daughter, Jessica, to Japan to celebrate the 92nd Birthday of her sister, Kazuko in Kamakura. In Kamakura, she hosted lunches for the families of her nephews and niece and their children. In addition, Sadako traveled to Kyoto with Jessica to visit many of the places she loved, eat the food she missed, and be with the daughter of a good friend since college.

Last week, Sadako went to the Chicago Botanic Gardens and had lunch with her daughter. She was most interested in finding the small Japanese garden, which is part of the Heritage Garden. Sadako marveled at all the flowers and the rose bushes yet to bloom.

In April, at the end of her life, Sadako did not complain about the pain, but spent her time thanking each and every doctor and nurse by name. "Thank you she would say. She spent two days in the hospital and after rounds of tests did not show anything until her major organs began to fail. She continued to be thankful and then said she wanted to go to sleep. Around 5:00 p.m. on the 22nd day of April, 2024, God granted her sleep with her daughters by her side. We are thankful.

There will be a Prayer Service in the Memorial Garden at the First United Methodist Church, 516 Church Street in Evanston on Saturday April 27th from 10:30 - 11:00 a.m. and an Open House that Saturday, the 27th, at the home of Jessica Clarke at 1335 Asbury Avenue in Evanston from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.

The family requests any donations be sent to the First United Methodist Church of Evanston for their pastoral work, Chicago Food Depository, or the Carbondale Public Library for the Japanese Garden built by Sadako and friends. Please keep the family in your prayers.

Arrangements entrusted to Thompson Funeral & Cremation Services, Inc. Mr. Philip L. Gillette ~ Funeral Director

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