Teresa Marie Clark
(1952 to 2009)

Our dear friend and colleague passed away on October 7, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Teresa was beloved by numerous colleagues and friends throughout the United States and Europe. A diverse group of people were endeared to her because of her unique combination of intelligence, quick wit, loyalty, and zest for life. Her patients loved her for her compassion, patience, and devotion to their care.

Originally from Little Rock, Ark, Teresa earned a bachelor’s degree at the University of Iowa and a master’s degree in audiology at the University of Southern Mississippi. She began her career as an instructor at Southeast Missouri State University, in Cape Girardeau, Mo. She worked as a clinical audiologist at the Neurosensory Center, at the Methodist Hospital & Baylor College of Medicine, in Houston, under the direction of James Jerger, PhD. In 1985, Teresa moved to California where she worked with Rodney Perkins, MD, at the California Ear Institute (at Stanford) as an audiologist in a medical environment, and at ReSound Corp, where she was involved in research and development during their early years of product development. She later went on to form a private practice, the California Hearing Center, with her close friend and colleague, Darcy Benson, AuD, where she excelled at providing pre-eminent care and service to individuals who are hard of hearing.

Never one for complacency or stagnation, and always eager to serve her patients better, Teresa earned her doctorate of audiology from the School of Audiology at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry, in 2005. She contributed to a variety of audiology textbooks and peer-reviewed journals. She was a fellow of the American Academy of Audiology, the Academy of Doctors of Audiology, and the California Academy of Audiology, where she served as chair of the political action committee and was commended for her commitment and contribution to her profession.

Teresa was an avid reader, enjoyed fine art, film, music (particularly the blues, opera, and chamber music), and especially loved to dance. She travelled  all over the world, and lived for a short while in Saudi Arabia with her former husband, Johnathann Meier. A follower of the teachings of Abraham-Hicks, Teresa believed that one creates one’s own reality through one’s thoughts, both conscious and unconscious. Above all she loved being with her friends and being a friend—a true and good one.

Teresa leaves behind her daughter, Hannah Meier; her mother, Neva Clark; her three sisters, Carol Maessner, Paula Scott, and Mary Ann Williams; and her French bulldog, Stella. Her business partner, her staff, her patients, and all of her friends and colleagues who had the privilege of knowing her will miss her immensely.

No formal services will be held. A private gathering of close friends and family took place on October 10. Donations, in her memory, may be made to Glide Foundation at www.glide.org.

This obituary was provided by Esther Sorensen, audiology support/Western region, account manager/Hawaii, for Oticon.