Shrewsbury – Doris Payson Beck Clark, 99, of Shrewsbury, passed away peacefully Tuesday, April 25, 2017.
She was born April 10, 1918 in Norfolk, Va. to Howard A. and Esther E. (Davis) Payson. Her first husband was Lt. Commander William H. Beck Jr., USN, missing in action WWII. She later married Curtis Mason Clark, with whom she was married 49 years, who predeceased her in 1998.
Doris earned her BA in Fine Arts at Massachusetts College of Fine Arts, Boston, and continued her graduate studies at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Her education and interests contributed to careers in art, flower arranging and interior design, receiving many awards and recognition.
She was an active volunteer all her life and dedicated herself and her talents to Memorial Hospital Aid Society, Worcester Garden Club, Shrewsbury Garden Club (a founding member and honorary member), and the Garden Club of America. Doris was a former Trustee and member of the Worcester Country Horticultural Society, Tower Hill Botanical Gardens, and the Massachusetts Horticultural Society and the International Design Symposium. She was also an active member of the Worcester Country Club and the Auxiliary of the Worcester Foundation for Experimental Biology.
Her interest in Early American art, furnishings and architecture led her to serve on board of the Historic Commission of Shrewsbury, Friends of Old Sturbridge Village, Worcester Art Museum, and the Worcester Historical Society.
Doris leaves her son, William Beck Clark of Colorado and his daughter Autumn Clark and son Dylan Clark, also of Colorado; her sister, Jean Payson McRobert of Radnor, Pa.; and a nephew, Dr. Scott McRobert and his wife Dr. Jodi Mindell and their daughter Caelie, all of Pennsylvania. Her brother, Marshall Payson, predeceased her.
Funeral services will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the First Congregational Church of Shrewsbury and Tower Hill Botanical Gardens.
