Merrell Clark Passes Away in Scarsdale

Merrell Mays Clark, 90, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his beloved family in Scarsdale, NY on April 4, 2025.

Merrell Mays Clark was born in Clifton Springs, NY on Feb 8, 1935, to Rev. Arthur T. Clark and Ruthanna (Anderson) Clark. Merrell spent much of his youth in Evanston, IL, then graduated from high school in Rock Island, IL. Merrell was the youngest of three siblings. Hartley, his older brother and Joanna, his older sister were both strong influences in his life and he often expressed his love for them. Merrell was the son of a Presbyterian minister, and his spirituality was paramount to his outlook on life.

Merrell graduated from Yale in 1957 with a degree in English. He met his future wife, and love of his life, Lynne Butcher, at a conference on religion in 1956 and it was love at first sight. They got engaged 2 weeks later and were married on June 14, 1957, immediately following graduation.

Merrell then completed a Master of Arts in Religion at Yale Divinity School in 1959. He participated in numerous student groups during his time there and he remained dedicated to the Yale community throughout his life, as he served as President & Chair of the Yale Westchester Alumni Association for fifteen years, developed mentorship opportunities for other alumni, interviewed Westchester area applicants, and maintained lifelong friendships with classmates and fellow alumni of all ages.

After his studies, he pursued a career in marketing and consulting. He served as VP Management Supervisor at SSC&B Advertising for ten years, and then as Principal at Knight, Gladieux and Smith Advertising before shifting his focus to the non-profit world where he could tap into his heart of service. He served as president for the Institutes for Religion and Health, and Vice President for Edna McConnell Clark Foundation. He later served in a variety of consultant roles at various foundations.

He formed two of his own companies: The Clark Company, providing marketing and accounting services, and Elderworks, a non-profit dedicated to utilizing the gifts and talents of the elderly in the workforce and in the community at large. He later poured himself into supporting and assisting his wife Lynne, a major residential realtor in Westchester County, as accountant, marketing advisor and sales support.

Merrell was deeply invested in his Scarsdale community and served on the board of numerous local organizations, including Scarsdale Forum, Scarsdale Community Center, Scarsdale Adult School, Westchester Arts Council, United Way of Scarsdale-Edgemont, Greenacres Association, and Scarsdale Foundation.

Merrell was an extraordinary musician. He played piano by sight and by ear and took any occasion to gather people around the piano to sing. Music and song followed him everywhere and flowed from him effortlessly. He loved singing in the choir at Hitchcock Presbyterian Church in Scarsdale, NY where he was an active and devoted member for 62 years.

He served Hitchcock Presbyterian Church in many ways. He led a successful men's group for many years, he was instrumental in the building of the chapel, the columbarium, and the Memorial Wall, as well as establishing the Memorial Fund. He and his wife led the centennial celebration, and he filled the pulpit many times. He served in the leadership of the church as both Deacon and Elder.

Merrell Mays Clark is survived by his wife Lynne Clark, his daughters, Lisa Clark Jenks (Steve Jenks), Aimee Clark Peterson (Matthew Peterson) and Catherine Merrell Clark (Antonio Seda); his grandchildren, Sarah Jenks Brajtbord (Jonathan Brajtbord), William Pearson Jenks, Catherine Jenks Berro (Travis Berro), Aimee Lynne Peterson, Charles Graham Peterson, Cole Clark Peterson, Camille Rosin Seda, Eloise Merrell Seda and Oliver Clark Seda; his great grandchildren, Marshall, Annabelle & Hazel Brajtbord and Rangeley Berro.

Community Music Fund in Memory of Merrell Clark. Checks can be made directly to Hitchcock Presbyterian Church. Memo: Community Music Fund in Memory of Merrell Clark and mailed to Hitchcock Presbyterian Church, 6 Greenacres Ave. Scarsdale NY 10583.