Thanks to Rev. Daniel Meeter of Old First Dutch Reformed Church for providing me with the biographical information that enabled me to write the following obituary.

An amazing and accomplished member of the Park Slope Community died yesterday. Marlene Clary, a gifted teacher and leader in musical and theatrical endeavors was born in Cleveland, Ohio. She attended Northwestern University on a full scholarship as a voice major, Goodman Memorial Theater School of the Art Institute of Chicago and later received a MA from New York  University.

She was hired by the Berkeley Carroll School in October 1976 in the preschool, and eventually taught Lower, Middle, and Upper School. Besides a variety of duties and responsibilities, she directed the Upper School plays and conducted the Upper School chorus. In 1994 she received the Dexter Earle
Award as Outstanding Teacher.

She also created and directed the Creative Arts Program at Berkeley Carroll from 1982-2008.

In 2001, Marlene founded and directed the Brooklyn Community Chorus, a group dedicated to including singers from diverse
backgrounds, ages, and musical experiences. She would end every concert with the singing of Set Me As A Seal with a text from the Song of Solomon.

also acted and sang professionally off-Broadway, in regional theater,
and summer stock, and was the soprano soloist for the Lafayette Avenue
Presbyterian Church in Fort Greene.

Clary is survived by her husband, Roy Clary, whom she married in 1964 and two grown children, Megan and Ethan.

Judging from the outpouring of tributes from students, parents, friends and colleagues sent to OTBKB, Marlene spread her gifts widely and will be greatly missed. A funeral service will be held on Monday, December 28th at 4 PM at the Old First Church on Seventh Avenue and Carroll Street in Park Slope.