Eleanor Jane Gustafson Clark

St. Michaels – Eleanor Jane Gustafson Clark of St. Michaels, formerly of Oxford, MD, died peacefully at home with her loving daughters by her side on Wednesday, April 17, 2024. She was 94. Eleanor was born in Erie, PA on June 15, 1929, to Swedish immigrants Carl Gustafson and Hilma Johnson Gustafson. She attended Jefferson Elementary School and Academy High School in Erie. After graduating high school, Eleanor enjoyed many social activities with her friends including traveling extensively in southwestern and Pacific US. She also loved to play golf, attended supper clubs and enjoyed gardening with her father. She had an older brother, Carl, whom she adored, who preceded her in death. While living in Erie, she worked for McCauley printing as a typist. On October 15, 1960, she married the love of her life, Gerald Wilson Clark (Jerry) and they had three daughters – Lisa Ainslie, Lynne Allison and Robyn Michelle. In 1971, the family moved to Rocky River, Ohio where Eleanor continued to raise her three daughters. During this time, Eleanor was also active in the school PTA, Girl Scouts, bowling and making sure the girls took swimming lessons. In 1976 the family moved to Cold Spring Harbor, NY where Eleanor started work as an Administrative Assistant at Mutual of New York Life Insurance. During their time in Cold Spring Harbor, Eleanor and Jerry enjoyed traveling to Easton, MD to attend the annual Waterfowl Festival. They fell in love with the Eastern Shore of Maryland and decided that this was where they wanted to retire and open a Bed and Breakfast. In 1983, the family moved to Oxford, MD and for the next 21 years owned and operated the 1876 House Bed and Breakfast as well as the 1876 Travel. While operating the bed and breakfast, Eleanor and Jerry made many friends, several who introduced them to chartering boats and boating among the U.S. and British Virgin Islands. This became an annual event and Eleanor fell in love with the Caribbean. They also looked forward to traveling and spending time in Williamsburg, VA. Eleanor also loved cooking and baking and was well known for her delicious and beautiful Christmas cookies. Her other hobbies included gardening, feeding and watching the birds, cross stitching, adoring her granddogs and cats, and going out to lunch with friends. Eleanor’s favorites: TV show: any Hallmark Channel Christmas movie and golf tournament that Phil Mickelson was playing; food – lobster and dark chocolate; dessert: tiramisu and crème brulee; drink – gin martini (“nectar of the gods”); color; Williamsburg blue; actor- Tom Selleck. Eleanor is survived by her daughter Lisa A. Clark and her husband Chris Rice, her daughter Lynne C. Davis and husband Jim Davis, her daughter Robyn M. Kealy and her husband Michael Kealy, her grandchildren, Ryleigh and Brandon Kealy, her nephew Eric Gustafson and her cousins Roy, Carl, and George Wern in Sweden. She is preceded in death by her parents, her brother Carl Gustafson, her nephew Paul Gustafson and her beloved husband Gerald W. Clark. A celebration of life will be held at the Miles River Yacht Club, St. Michaels, MD on May 19, 2024, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Talbot Humane Society, as Eleanor loved animals.

Eleanor Jane Gustafson Clark

June 15, 1929 - April 17, 2024