Mary Elizabeth Clark Barbachono

Mary Elizabeth Clark Barbachano danced her way across the finish line of this life on February 11, 2024. At the age of 79, she was in her eightieth year of living - and though she hoped to reach 88, she was grateful for the years she had. Mary was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, grew up in Colma, California, and spent most of her life in the San Francisco Bay area. She completed her undergrad degree at Lone Mountain College, majoring in English. Mary’s professional career included work as a corporate paralegal. Her creative talent revealed itself in fiber arts, photography, drawing and watercolors. Mary was an avid reader, with two of her favorite authors being Barbara Pym and C.P. Snow. In addition to literature, Mary had acumen in politics. She researched important issues – locally, nationally, and internationally – drawing conclusions from diverse points of view and sharing her discoveries with others in ways that fostered dialogue. She had a passion for justice and chose to live her values with integrity and consistency, not only in word but also in action. 

In December 2003 Mary moved to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, spending two years nearby her sister with whom she was very close. In February 2006 she moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin for ten years, and lastly to Madison. Throughout her life, Mary loved the embodiment communicated through dance. It became a meaningful metaphor in 2008 when her health took a turn with a diagnosis of breast cancer. Mary’s words at the time communicated her depth of acceptance, “breast cancer has invited me to dance”. She lived with reoccurrences of breast cancer in 2018 and 2019. In November 2022 she received news that her cancer had metastasized to her bones. She viewed this development as being “the slow dance that will take me home”.  With wise insight she said, “It is what it is, and when I am in a place of acceptance, I’m free.” Mary spent her final year living her dying creatively and courageously. It was in the expert care of staff at the Agrace Hospice Inpatient Unit of Madison (Fitchburg) that Mary finally had some days without pain. There she lived her final surrender and danced her way home with dignity and grace. She is at peace. 

Mary was the first-born child of Beckwith Burnham Clark and Catherine Elizabeth Barron Clark. She is survived by her son, John Barbachano (Shannon) of Stafford, Virginia; her granddaughter Shawn Barbachano of Farmville, Virginia; her step grandson Jeffrey Stocker (Samantha and son Gabe) of Stafford, Virginia; her sister Margaret Clark of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, and her sister Cathy Nessier (Steve, and their family) of San Mateo, California. She is also warmly remembered within several online circles, where she found healing, friendships, and shared values.

There will be an online Celebration of Mary’s life for family and friends in April (date to be decided later).