Monday afternoon, Roaring Camp Railroads’ 6,000+ square foot Bret Hart Hall was packed with about 500 people gathered to celebrate the life of CEO and president, mother and grandmother Georgiana “Georgie” Clark.
Clark was born in Oahu, Hawaii and there was a decided Hawaiian theme — many in the gathering wore Hawaiian print shirts, blouses and dresses. Hawaiian music was played by guitar, ukulele and electronic keyboard. Georgie’s hula dancing ‘sisters,’ the Gracious Ladies of Santa Cruz, danced a tribute to their co-member and friend.
The video presentation, “Georgie’s Story,” showed the life of a beautiful woman with a gorgeous smile who loved her family and her life.
“No speeches, only stories,” said Paul Nakamoto, the moderator.
The audience burst into applause when the photo of Georgie in the 4th of July parade flashed on the screen.
In fact, no one was willing to stay away from Clark’s celebration. With her left leg propped up on a chair due to recent metatarsal surgery, Irene Wheeler recalled her friend and neighbor.
“My daughter Jennifer grew up with (Clark’s daughter) Kapi. They went to SLV Jr. High together. I knew Georgie from the Valley Christian Women’s Missions and I wanted to honor her,” she said.
Chemene Paikike Hubbard, the oldest daughter, told how she and her sisters, Melani Lei and Kapiolani, helped their parents in the early days of the Roaring Camp Railroad. Georgiana and Norman Clark began the railroad in 1963. Chemene said each daughter had their daily jobs and they learned “to be tough women endowed with the strength and tenacity” of their mother — for which they were grateful.
Son-in-law Rob Thorsen reflected on the positive effect Georgie had on everyone’s life.
He related some of Georgie’s daring exploits that even he — as a police officer — found daunting. He said that before her husband’s passing from pneumonia in 1985, she had promised him she would operate Roaring Camp for at least one year which, of course, turned into more than 30 years.
Thorsen called her a wonderful grandmother who entertained her grandchildren “with the biggest train set in the whole wide world.”
A friend of the family, Pastor Bob Osenga, said the benediction. Paul Nakamoto invited everyone to enjoy the food on the patio while listening to Hawaiian music and take a free train ride in memory of Georgiana Paikike Clark.
