Caryl M. Clarke

Caryl M. Clarke, affectionately known as “Grammy”, 82, of York, PA, formerly of Hanover, PA, gained her wings Friday, June 14, 2024, at UPMC Hanover Hospital, and is dancing with her loved ones in Heaven.

Born December 14, 1941, in Washington, D.C., she was the daughter of the late Juanita (Alkire) Rains of McLean, VA, and the late Clare G. Rains of Boca Raton, FL.  Caryl was the loving wife of Howard W. Clarke, with whom she shared 53 years of marriage until his passing on September 25, 2015.

Caryl was a 1959 graduate of George Mason High School, Falls Church, VA, and attended American University.  She worked at the Pentagon for the Department of the Army from 1961-1968, and then enjoyed many years raising her children before going back to college when they were in high school, graduating from York College of PA in 1988.  Caryl was a dynamic reporter with the York Daily Record for eighteen years until her retirement in 2007, earning four 1st prize awards from the PA Bar Association for articles that shed light on the workings of the criminal justice system. 

Over the years, Caryl enjoyed being involved in her children’s activities and the community.  She started volunteering as a brownie girl scout leader for her daughter’s troop in Lancaster, PA, and continued as her junior girl scout leader in Hanover PA.  She was passionate about volunteering with the Hanover YWCA when she lived in Hanover, and served as a former vice-president of the Board of Directors, she was often ‘on-call’, helping women and families of domestic abuse with the SafeHome program – and she was especially proud to be instrumental in the formation of their annual book sale - big, round, green book bins could be found throughout the community back in the 1980’s, which she, her friends and family helped paint and position around town.  Caryl was an active member of her church, the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of York, PA, forming special friendships that continued up until her last days. 

Caryl truly loved the outdoors, camping with her children, family, and girl scout troops was a yearly adventure.  She loved her garden, especially wildflowers, and loved to walk, going for her daily 3-mile power walks with her Impounding Dam Road girlfriends when she lived in Hanover, and around the loop at SpiriTrust at Sprenkle Village in York, PA.  She was an avid reader – loved her kindle - and read multiple newspapers daily.   But she especially loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, being able to read to them, and go for walks discovering the outdoors and proudly sharing stories and pictures with her friends of their adventures whenever possible.  But she will truly be remembered by all who knew her for her abstractly colorful and always ‘mis-matched’ socks – her life’s signature.

Caryl is survived by her children, Catherine “Katie” Kenworthy and husband Eric of Glenville, PA, Daniel H. Clarke of Sterling Heights, MI; four adoring grandsons, Jordan P. Kenworthy and wife Robyn of Hanover, PA, Bailey V. Kenworthy and girlfriend Emily Burd of Hanover, PA, Everett J. Kenworthy and fiancée Sofia Irigoyen of St. Augustine, FL, and Aidan R. Kenworthy of Glenville, PA; and two loving great-grandchildren, Oscar J. Kenworthy and Roslyn A. Kenworthy of Hanover, PA;  nieces, Sally Woodbridge, Kim Hobart-Christenson, and Jill Hobart; nephew, James E. Ragsdale, IV; and many cousins.  She was preceded in death by her sister, Linda R. Ragsdale of Springfield, VA.

Following cremation, a memorial service will be held at the convenience of the family at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Caryl’s name to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation - “Breakthrough T1D” to P.O. Box 5021, Hagerstown, MD, 21741-5021, or www.breakthrought1d.org.

The family would like to thank the nurses and staff at UPMC Hanover Hospital, and the nurses and staff at SpiriTrust Lutheran at Utz Terrace for their loving care and compassion.

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.kenworthyfh.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Caryl M. Clarke, please visit our floral store.