It with great sorrow that I announce the loss of my sweetheart and good friend to many people in Oroville, Shirley Jean Clark.

She was successfully battling lung cancer and had just completed chemotherapy when she was stricken with a sudden and overwhelming lung infection. Shirley and I, Jesse Clark, both have lived in Oroville for over 35 years. She was a happy spirit and always had a smile and a kind word for everyone she had contact with, no matter what their social standing or race. Shirley had a true love and concern for people and was often doing something good for others in secret. She thought helping others in secret was more rewarding to her because she wasn’t looking for a pat on the back, she just liked helping people. Her favorite saying was, “This is the day the Lord has made, rejoice and be glad in it!” She did, every day. She will be greatly missed by many people in Oroville. Every time you see a butterfly I hope you think of her.

Shirley left us on Feb. 22, 2010. If you like, you can make a donation in her honor to the charity of your choice or a simple “goodbye Shirley” in your next prayer would be a fine tribute.