Obituary of Gisele G. Clark

Due to multiple health complications, Gisele G. Clark (Gigi) was unexpectedly called home to our Lord Wednesday, February 21, 2024. Gigi was born in Lake Placid on April 5, 1959 and is the daughter of the (late) Matthew B. Clark, Jr and Janet Jacques Clark. While born and raised in Lake Placid, Gigi's journey took her to Astoria, Queens where she made her life for the past 40 plus years. Graduating from Lake Placid High School as Salutatorian of her class in 1977, Gigi found herself following her love of music, first at Hartwick College and then at Nazareth College in Rochester, NY where she graduated with a degree in Music Therapy. She eventually made her way to Long Island through friends she met while working in the figure skating world at the Olympic Arena during her high school days. It was there through her friends at church that she eventually found her way into the fashion industry in New York City. She first began working for Carolina Herrera and ultimately ended up working as a manager for Larry Geller at Vogue Too, in Manhattan for the past 25 plus years. Larry taught Gigi the ins and outs and from there, Gigi ran with it working with many high-end designers, including Oscar de la Renta and Vera Wang. She had earned much respect from all those she worked with in the industry. It's because of this, that we, as family, were able to enjoy a backstage tour of Wicked and The Lion King on our trips to the city. Gigi also genuinely cared for and looked out for "her" ladies and gents working the machines, often seeing them through difficult times. As per Larry and Barbara from Vogue Too, Gigi's passing is a significant loss for the fashion industry. After moving from Long Island to Queens, her search for the right church led her to meeting up with her longtime dear friend, Pastor James Klockau at Augustana Evangelical Lutheran Church. As with many churches today, Augustana found itself in a merger with the Grace Lutheran Church. Gigi supported the merger and continued service at Grace with Pastor James. Gigi served on the executive committee at both congregations. She was a member of the choir, and also played the piano for the service in the absence of the organist. Gigi was the Sunday School Director at Grace for many years, spending much of her free time planning just the right lesson for every Sunday session. Of course, this free time was usually into the wee hours of Sunday morning, allowing for a brief nap prior to church. Pastor James shared with us that Gigi would be at the church sewing costumes for the Christmas Pageant well into midnight hour. In true Gigi fashion, she wanted to make sure everything was just right and ready for the service. Her love of music found her auditioning for and ultimately earning her spot in The Cecilia Chorus of New York, with performances twice a year at Carnegie Hall. We again were privileged to have been able to attend a couple of concerts and be educated in the world of opera. Mom, however, fell asleep at one such performance…we did tell Gigi, and she wasn't at all surprised. Gigi was very proud of her work and life in the city, and we were the beneficiaries when we made a trip to visit. She also very much loved her family as was evident when she returned home for visits. Much time was spent around the kitchen table engaging in conversation. Gigi always made sure mom had someone to talk with into the wee hours of the morning after the rest of us had long since gone to bed. Gigi was very proud of her family and shared with her friends in the city stories and pictures of us northerners. Her friend and work associate, Barbara, shared that she felt she knew each and every one of us because of these stories and pictures that Gigi would share with her during their many conversations. Gigi was predeceased by her father, Matt, as well as her grandparents and several aunts, uncles and cousins. She is survived by her mother, Janet, sisters, Cora, Abigail (John Breen), Beatrice, and Polly-Jo, as well as brothers, Matthew III (Kim), Zachary and Willis (Kristen). She is also survived by many nieces and nephews whom she adored and didn't get to see often enough; Emily, Marjorie, Molly, John Henry, Jacob (Julie) and Amy (Frank), MaryKate, Caroline, Hillary, Emma, Madelyn, Nolan, McKenzie and Natalie, along with great nephews Matthew and Henry. Gigi is also survived by her aunts, Virginia, Joyce, and Barb; her uncle, Fred, as well as several cousins, extended family and their families. Donations in Gigi's memory may be made to the church of your choice. Grace Lutheran Church, 31-20 21st Avenue, Astoria, New York 11105; or the Adirondack Community Church, 2583 Main Street, Lake Placid, New York 12946. There will be a memorial service at the Grace Lutheran Church in Astoria on April 7, 2024 during the 10:00 AM service. For those unable to attend in person, the service will be live streamed and can be accessed by going to their website, gracearoundthecorner.org. A funeral service will be held for Gigi and her mother Janet on Saturday April 13th at 2:00 PM at the Adirondack Community Church, Main Street, Lake Placid, NY.. Rev. Derek H. Hansen, Pastor of the Adirondack Community Church will officiate. The M. B. Clark Funeral Home in Lake Placid is in charge of arrangements. Please Visit www.mbclarkfuneralhome.com to share a memory, sign the virtual guest register, upload a photograph or leave condolences for the Memorial Tribute Book family to cherish.