Robin Clark
Robin Manette Lauer Clark passed away on July 16 at the age of 68 due to complications from cancer. Born on April 1, 1956 in Marietta, she grew up in Lower Salem but spent most of her life in Dexter City in a small house filled with love. She was the daughter of the late Ted W. and Mary Margaret Vaughn Lauer.
Robin devoted her life to the care and keeping of her children, all of whom she raised to be independent, trustworthy, and loving. She never ceased supporting and parenting them even as adults, who would still come to her for advice and encouragement knowing they would find both in her. She was a caregiver who, despite having a dozen grandchildren, managed to have meaningful relationships with them all. She made a point of spending time with each of them and as a result, they are a testament to her and her kind nature.
Endlessly patient, Robin was known for her tolerance of sibling squabbles — as well as for her famous lasagna. She was a quick wit and a gifted storyteller. She was the keeper of family photographs, most of which she took herself. She adored her two orange cats, Rosie and Archie. She loved the music of Connie Smith, a singer who shared Robin’s southeastern Ohio roots. She was a Christian who took to heart Jesus’s teachings about kindness, generosity, and giving others grace. She welcomed new members of her large, loving family with open arms and a big heart. Some of her last days this summer were spent on a family vacation to Disney World, a place she loved sharing with them. She always remembered to text “happy birthday.”
She worked for the Caldwell Exempted Village School District for 36 years, most recently as a librarian in the elementary school. There, she was known best as “Ms. Robin,” who read aloud to students from her rocking chair.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her infant brother Ted Lauer, aunt Elaine B. Ogle, niece Angie Lauer, and nephew Howard Dean Weitzman. A mother of four, she is survived by their father, Dave Clark, and her mother-in-law, Mary Lou Clark, in addition to her brothers, Dave (Kathy) Lauer and Kurt Lauer. She is also survived by daughters Mandy (Jim) Gilmour, Greta (John) Stewart, and Amber (Jeremy) Hartman as well as her son, Daniel (Meryl) Clark, and by her special nieces, Andrea (Kenny) Ingram, Sabrina Lauer, and Chalee (Deon) Utterback. She leaves behind 12 grandchildren: Reid (Grant) Carpenter, Savannah Gilmour, Graham Stewart-Davis, Ayla (Darrell) Sullins, Tahya Stewart, Torrence Gilmour, Zeta Gilmour, Clark Hartman, Dane Hartman, Dax Clark, Cora Hartman, and Ross Hartman. She is also survived by her two great grandsons, Dezzy Sullins and Westin Sullins.
The family will receive friends for visitation Friday, July 19, 2024 from 5:00 to 8:00 PM and Saturday, July 20, 2024 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Chandler Funeral Home, 609 West Street, Caldwell, OH 43724. The funeral service will conclude visitation Saturday, July 20, 2024 at 1:00 PM in the Chandler Funeral Home Chapel, with Pastor André Norman officiating. A private family burial will follow the service in Highland Ridge Cemetery near Lowell. As a nod to Robin’s love for her school, for Disney, and for thrifting, attendees are encouraged to wear their favorite Caldwell, Disney, or thrifted apparel for services. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made in Robin’s honor to one of her favorite places: the Peoples Bank Theatre, 224 Putnam Street, Marietta, OH, 45750 or online HERE. One of her greatest joys in life was volunteering during performances there. Please join us in remembering Robin by visiting her memorial at www.ChandlerFuneralHome.net
