Margaret Ann Clark

Margaret Ann Clark, 94, of Palm Desert, Calif. passed away July 26, 2013. She was born January 30, 1919 to Carl and Sophie Hagius in Jerome, Arizona, a mining community in Northern Arizona, which has subsequently become a popular ghost town. Growing up with her two sisters (Shirley and Sue) they wanted to all become nurses however, the 16 year old valedictorian from Clarksdale High School chose instead to major in Business Administration at the University of Arizona in Tucson. While at the UofA Margaret Ann met and married her college sweetheart, Edmund Currlin. In 1946, she and her husband moved to the Coachella Valley where as an agronomist he was involved in the planting of many of the golf courses in the desert area. During the early 1960s, Margaret Ann became the personal secretary to Jacqueline Cochran (Indio, Calif.), the aviatrix who was the first woman to break the sound barrier in a jet aircraft. As Mrs. Cochran's personal secretary, she had the opportunity to meet many interesting and influential people and to fly all over the world, even behind the then known "Iron Curtain" where U.S. diplomatic relations were often strained. After all five children were grown she elected to take a secretarial job in the Department of Developmental Education at the College of the Desert (with typewriter in hand) where she remained for seventeen years assuming new and challenging responsibilities. Soon she began teaching the course "English as a Second Language" in the evenings, a role that was pivotal and enabled her to eventually become an Associate Professor of Developmental Education where she had the opportunity to instruct students from more than thirty different countries. She felt a deep sense of commitment and dedication to her students by always encouraging them to believe in themselves. For those fortunate enough to work alongside her she always displayed a positive outlook and would strive to find the good in every situation and individual she encountered. In 1982, at the College of the Desert's 20th Anniversary Celebration, she was once again recognized in two separate awards by both her fellow faculty members and students for her undying commitment and dedication to her work. In 1986, she received special recognition by being inducted into the College of the Desert Alumni Hall of Fame. The "Outstanding Faculty Award" is given to show great respect to one outstanding faculty member in recognition of their superior classroom achievements and teaching abilities. Through her undying enthusiasm and deep sense of encouragement and support she was able to continually inspire her fellow peers and students alike. She retired from teaching in 1986 to begin a new chapter in her life by marrying Louis Clark of Indian Wells. Margaret Ann and Louis remained very active by traveling and belonging to a number of local desert area social, service and philanthropic organizations. For fourteen years she gave of her free time to graciously volunteer at the Bob Hope Desert Classic. In addition, she was invited to join the Palm Springs Area Assistance League, a National Service Organization designed to help those less fortunate within the desert community. Margaret Ann was also a dedicated PEO Charter Member (for over 50 years) and past President of local Chapter VH Indio. Because of her devotion to her local community she was honored to have received the "2003 Senior Inspiration Award" from the City of Indian Wells. In addition to teaching, one of her greatest passions was music. Since music played such an important role in her life she would welcome the opportunity to share it unselfishly with others every chance she could. As a gifted pianist and organist, she gave freely of her time to play at multiple masses each Sunday at local Catholic Churches and also enjoyed playing at innumerable functions within the desert community to include: style shows, weddings, funerals and other social events within her retirement community. For the past six years (following the passing of her husband) Margaret Ann moved to Atria Hacienda in Palm Desert where she remained very active and established many special friendships. She knew no strangers and always possessed a friendly smile followed by kind words to those she encountered. Margaret Ann had a great sense of humor, was very quick witted and was a terrific story-teller. For those of you who were fortunate to have crossed her path…you were bathed in sincere kindness and the warmth of her presence. She has always been an inspiration to her family and friends. As a positive role model with a unique zest for life….she will be sorely missed….but God has chosen her to continue her work elsewhere. The family would like to give special thanks to Charter Hospice and staff for the compassionate care they provided in recent weeks. A very special thanks to the personal caregivers from United Private Care Services who provided unwavering acts of kindness and the best of care. In addition, the family would like to recognize the professional staff at Atria for their comfort and support. Margaret Ann is survived by her five children: Carolyn Rixmann (Lester) of Canyon Country, Calif.; Charlotte Chiuminatta (Ed) of San Clemente, Calif.; John Currlin of Tucson, Ariz.; Kathleen Manard (John) of Charlotte, N.C. and James Currlin (Lynn) of Prescott, Ariz. Margaret Ann had four grandchildren: Kimberly Brown, Kathy Kehoe (Jimmy), Cynthia Lazenby (Andrew) and Lance Rixmann (Lori) and two great grandchildren: Lake and Lyric and many "grandpups". Margaret Ann also is survived by her sister: Shirley Thompson of Boise, Idaho. Services will be held on Monday, August 5, 2013, at 12:00PM - Forest Lawn Mortuary - 69855 East Ramon Road, Cathedral City, CA 92234. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to The Living Desert, Palm Desert, Calif.