Obituary: Dorothy Mae Clack

Dorothy Mae Clack

Dorothy Mae Clack

Dorothy Mae Clack died Feb. 22, 2012, at her home in Prescott, Ariz. She was born April 2, 1923, in Des Moines, Iowa, the daughter of John C. and Lela Mae (Stevens) Ramsay Jr. Dorothy was 88 years old.

Dorothy married the love of her life, Mel Clack, on Sept. 9, 1945. They moved to Prescott from Aberdeen, S.D., in 1953. They immediately became active members in Prescott United Methodist Church, where Dorothy was a member of the United Methodist Women and Rebecca Circle. They were also active members of Prescott Noon Day Lions and Lioness. They opened and operated Mel's Cafe until 1956 when Mel became the independent dealer with Goodyear, selling tires to Cyprus Bagdad Copper Co. Dorothy was a key component of the success of the dealership. They retired in 1997. Dorothy was a very important part of all of Mel's activities and his strongest supporter.

The Clacks soon discovered that there were no resources or support groups for the blind in Yavapai County, and set out to fill that great need. The first six years they met in the Prescott Public Library and in 1980 celebrated the opening of the Yavapai County Blind Center, which has evolved into the Prescott Area Center for the Blind Inc. They saw that many people simply got out of the house for outings with them.

Together, with their great faith, they endured the deaths of their son, Doug, and daughter, Linda. Dorothy was very much the "wind beneath Mel's wings," with son-in-law Jerry Cochell rolling back the clouds and helping them achieve the fullness of their lives.

Dorothy is survived by her daughter Rebecca Sue Cochell of Prescott; granddaughters Andrea, Julie and Samantha; and great-grandsons Kai and Tristen.

The family suggests memorials to in her name to Prescott United Methodist Church, Open Door Ministry, 505 W. Gurley, Prescott, AZ, 86301, or the Prescott Area Center for the Blind Inc., P.O. Box 1211, Prescott, AZ 86302.

A celebration of Dorothy's life will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2012, with private inurnment to follow at the Masonic Cemetery.

Arizona Ruffner Wakelin Funeral Home assisted the family with final arrangements. You are invited to log onto www.ruffnerwakelin.com to sign Dorothy's guestbook, view a tribute to her and share a memory with the family.

Information provided by survivors.


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