Alyssa Marie Clark

Alyssa Marie Clark, 42, passed away suddenly on Thursday, November 21, 2024, when involved in a fatal car accident.

She was born in Joliet, Illinois, on January 14, 1982, the daughter of William Clark and Teresa Clark, nee Wingate. She lived long, equal segments of her life in Illinois (Chicagoland), New York (Saratoga Springs), Colorado (Denver), and Washington, D.C.

Alyssa was a 2004 graduate of St. Michael’s College in Vermont. She then went on to graduate with a Master’s in Clinical Social Work from the University of Denver in 2007. Throughout her life she was drawn to nature, and her choice of college locations reflected her passion for exploring the outdoors.

Post graduation, Alyssa dedicated her life to helping others—joining AmeriCorps, serving the homeless, helping with Hurricane Katrina relief efforts in New Orleans, joining trauma teams for various crises, and spending her career serving patients as a mental health therapist.

In addition to being a committed humanitarian, Alyssa loved spending time with family, friends, and her cat, Adagio. She enjoyed going to breweries and wineries, hiking, reading, playing board games, and attending church and Bible study groups.

Alyssa is survived by her parents; her sister, Lindsay Ferrara, brother-in-law, Kurt, and three beloved nephews, Lincoln, Whit, and Everett Ferrara; her stepmother, Christine Clark, and step-siblings, Cole, Blake, and Kali; long-time partner, Josh Ertle; twenty aunts and uncles and thirty first cousins; friends and colleagues. All of these individuals will miss her dearly.

Alyssa will be remembered for her enormous empathy, giving heart, and her devotion as both a clinician and an aunt ("TeeTee").

Family and friends are invited to join to support the family at a Funeral Mass on Saturday, December 7, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. (previously at 12:00 p.m.) at St. Augustine Church, 5976 Old Washington Road, Elkridge, Maryland.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the National Coalition for the Homeless .