Carol was born on April 13, 1952, on Easter Sunday Morning in Oak Park, IL Hospital as Carol A. Clarke to the parents of John L. Clarke, III, and Rosemary C. Clarke.

Carol left behind her brothers, John Leo III and Richard Kent Clarke.

Her first passion was music, followed by horses, and then fur babies and teaching. Her grandmother was a contralto, and her grandfather was a part-time violinist. Carol could carry a tune at an early age and joined a church junior high bell choir. That is where she learned 4-in-hand bell ringing. She played piano all during high school and then attended Simpson College for music where she studied piano and voice.

She moved to Stillwater, OK and bought a horse, spending many happy hours with her pride and joy. She even entered a few local horse shows.

While in OK she took a job at OKSU veterinary medicine radiology department where she worked with horses, goats, llamas, snakes, rabbits, owls, bulls, and more.

She later went to the School of Radiography at Franciscan Medical Hospital for 2 years and graduated in 1979 with a certificate in Radiography. Carol worked as a staff radiographer while continuing her education in Sonography at Oklahoma University College of Allied Heath.

Carol had a lengthy career in Diagnostic Medical Sonography. As a Program Director and Educator, she started and lead Sonography programs at St. Joseph Medical Center in Fort Wayne, IN, South Suburban College in South Holland, IL and later at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, IL where she was privileged to work with some of the finest physicians, sonographers, and staff in the United States.

Carol didn’t just teach the fundamentals and technical skills to her students; she set the standard for patient care and mentorship for generations of Sonographers.

Graduating over 150 sonographers means her impact is felt every single day in hospitals and clinics throughout the United States, through the hands and eyes of the students she trained. Retiring in 2023 was certainly well-earned after a career dedicated to education and healthcare.

In her final weeks, Carol was overwhelmed with the outpouring of love and affection as evidenced by the many flowers, phone calls, text messages, card, and visitations. All of her dear friends, students, and co-workers expressed their unwavering support and concern. She was grateful for each and every one.

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