After 66 years of marriage, it seemed only fitting that Peter and Ruth Clarke’s journey through life would end just five days apart and for them to be farewelled in a double funeral at St Joseph’s Catholic Church before being laid to rest together at Gunnedah Memorial Park.

Ruth died at Tamworth Hospital on July 23, while Peter followed her on July 28, at Gunnedah Hospital.

Their life together spanned decades of commitment to family, community and each other – a testament to the power of love and devotion.

Born in depression-era Australia, Mary Ruth Turner came into the world at Tamworth on May 31, 1936, one of eight children born to Mary Magdalene and Joseph Leo Turner. She grew up with her siblings John, Bob, Bill, Anne, Ruth, Joan, Leslie and Frances in a big house with a verandah on Dalley Street, Quirindi.

Her future husband Peter William Clarke was born on January 14, 1936 – one of the hottest days ever recorded in Gunnedah. The eldest of four boys born to Joyce Mary (Campbell) and George Leo Clarke, his childhood revolved around the family property Annandale, on Alford Road, with his brothers Neville, Colin and Trevor. Life was a struggle during World War II, with their father serving with the AIF in overseas conflicts.

Shaped by the struggles and triumphs of those times, Peter and Ruth’s early lives laid the foundation for the incredible partnership they would share.

After leaving school, Ruth excelled in her training as a bookkeeper and typist and was employed as a movie theatre usherette, a dental nurse and office worker prior to marrying

Peter and devoting her life to her growing family. She loved to read and keep up to date with the world around her.

Peter completed his primary education at St Xavier’s School before heading to De La Salle College in Armidale for secondary studies. He had various sporting interests including athletics, squash and golf and enjoyed spending time bushwalking and spotting birds.

Their paths had crossed at a YCW gathering in Quirindi, and on June 16, 1958, they embarked on a journey of love and partnership at St Brigid’s Catholic Church, Quirindi.

At the farewell Mass on August 6, their grand-daughter Claire Etherington, read sections of a four-page love letter from Peter to Ruth in the early days of their courtship.

Their family home in Gunnedah on the corner of George and View Streets, would later see the arrival of their eight children—Joanne (1959), Stephen (1960), Timothy (1961), Belinda (1962), Benedict (1964), Margaret (1966), Phillip (1970), and Richard (1971).

Sadly, they lost their baby boy Timothy Leo to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) at the age of nine weeks.

Initially employed as a trainee health inspector with Gunnedah Municipal Council, Peter briefly took up a role with Woodburn Shire Council in Coraki, where their daughter

Margaret was born on the steps of the Coraki Hospital. The couple returned to Gunnedah in 1966 for Peter to fill a vacant health inspector’s position, while his growing experience and ongoing study allowed him to progress to the role of health surveyor and later in his career, town planner with Gunnedah Shire Council. He spent 20 years on the board of the Gunnedah District Hospital, with five years as chairman of the board.

The family enjoyed many memorable experiences, from camping holidays to beach holidays at Hawk’s Nest, and family reunions.

Peter and Ruth’s love was evident in everything they did – they built a life full of warmth, dedication and generosity, embracing the joys of family life with open hearts, from the chaos of camping holidays and family reunions to the simple pleasures of winter Sundays spent reading papers and eating toasties. Their home, known for its vibrant energy and the unmistakable presence of the orange VW microbus, was a hub of activity and love.

Reminiscing at the farewell Mass in St Joseph’s Catholic Church, Jo Clarke said her mother had an uncanny ability to detect mischief.

“You quickly learned never to say never say ‘I’m bored’ unless you really wanted Mum to find something for you to do,” she said.

“The food fights, the sports carnivals, and the endless adventures will forever be etched in the memories of all of us.”

Peter and Ruth Clarke were both pillars of their community – Ruth put significant time and energy into supporting the local community through numerous leadership roles. She served as president of the St Xavier’s Primary School and St Mary’s College auxiliaries, sat for two years as chair of St Joseph’s Parish Pastoral Council, served as parish pastoral assistant to the priests and as a eucharistic minister.

She was, at various times, president, secretary and treasurer of the Gunnedah VIEW Club; also serving as program officer at the Probus Club and most recently as secretary of the Gunnedah RSL sub-Branch.

“Our father’s long history of community service began with a period of national service with the Australian Army in 1956 followed by a stint with the Citizens Military Force,” Jo Clarke said.

“He also held leadership roles in the Probus Club, a term as president of Scouts in Gunnedah and president and vice-president of the Gunnedah RSL sub-Branch. He was always present at commemorations on ANZAC Day, Remembrance Day and Vietnam Veteran’s Day.”

In 2016, the couple joined forces with the Sisters of Mercy as Mercy Associates, furthering their legacy of service and compassion as they helped raise funds for the nursing home and the Rural Health Centre. Their shared love for music was evident in their participation in the St Joseph’s Choir and the annual Gunnedah Eisteddfod, while their love for each other was epitomised in their renewal of vows after 50 years of marriage and their joyful celebration of their 60th anniversary.

With their offspring dispersing across Australia over time they always looked forward to, and enjoyed, the mayhem of family reunions held every five years. They also enjoyed a memorable driving trip around Australia, staying in caravan park cabins.

Peter and Ruth’s legacy is not just in the roles they played but in the lives they touched. Their story is woven with love and laughter and an unyielding commitment to family and community.

“As we remember Peter and Ruth today, let us celebrate the fullness of their lives – the joy they brought to others, the love they shared, and the countless ways they made the world a better place,” Jo said.

“Their spirit will continue to inspire us, and their love will remain a guiding light in the lives of their family and friends. May they rest in peace, knowing their lives were a true testament to the beauty of love and service.”

The farewell Mass was con-celebrated by Fr John McHugh and Fr Antony Vattakkunnel, with Kay Clarke the organist. Members of the Gunnedah RSL sub-Branch formed a guard of honour outside the church and again at the lawn cemetery, where the Last Post was sounded as a salute to Peter’s service in the army and to the sub-branch.

The late Peter and Ruth Clarke are survived by their family – Jo Clarke and Greg Tuck (Perth), Steve and Kim Clarke (Townsville), Lindy and Bruce Etherington (Sydney), Ben and Priscilla Clarke (Perth), Margaret and Rob Barnes (Jerrabomberra) , Phillip and Sally Clarke (Lisarow) , Richard and Meg Clarke (Cooma), as well as grandchildren Claire (Thompson – Santa Cruz USA) and Richo (Etherington – Sydney), William Clarke-Tuck (Perth), Haydn Clarke (Brisbane), Rohan Clarke (Sydney), Adam Barnes (ACT) and Elise Barnes (Jerrabomberra), Josh Clarke, Drew Clarke , Zoe Clarke (all of Lisarow) and Grace and Xavier Clarke (Cooma); great-grandchildren Reed and Miles Thompson (USA) and Jamieson Clarke (Brisbane). Peter is also survived by his brothers Colin (USA) and Trevor (Terrigal), while Ruth has one surviving sister Anne Sherring of Dubbo.

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