Mom died early this morning as the result of heart failure. She lived a very long and wonderful life.

Some of you might not know that I am now living in Dallas, Texas. This is where Mom, known then as Thelma Margaret Lacy, grew up. A few days ago a young Mexican woman came to my door. She was selling steaming hot tamales. How could I not buy some? Nearly eighty years ago my mother was doing precisely the same thing in this same city – and probably for the same reason. Her family was very poor.

In 1941 she married Cecil Clark, a Naval officer. It turned out to be one of the happiest marriages anyone might imagine. They had two sons, Paul in 1943 and me in 1946.

I guess my fondest memories of Mom are those of seeing the joy she got from gardening. She always kept beautiful flowerbeds at each of our many homes. I also enjoyed sitting on a stool in the kitchen, watching as she worked her magic there. Mom was a good cook but was an excellent baker, producing chocolate éclairs to die for!

She was a happy woman. Mom especially liked making new friends – especially those who sent written correspondence. This was particularly evident a couple of years ago when many of the fine folks here in Mudcat land showered her with birthday greetings. Some of you even sent gifts. More often than you can imagine, she read and reread those cards. She didn't know who you were, but she marveled more that you cared enough to write. The gifts were among her favorite possessions.

Mom appreciated music of all sorts. I am sure she was not the only woman who once had a huge crush on Perry Como. In more recent years, I played many recordings for her that had been made by Mudcatters. She even got to listen to a few Paltalk sessions. Mom absolutely loved all of it and often clapped along with the livelier tunes. She was also my biggest fan.

There are so many other bits about Mom I could share. A few of them have to do with some of the 'Catters Mom has met as well as some of the wonderful things they did for her. But not unlike the life Mom lived, this post has to stop at some point. I'll close by sharing Mom's motto, which she said she learned from her home economics teacher: "Make your plan then work your plan."