Elizabeth Cole Clark was a part of Trumbull County for nearly a century, and she spent much of that time preserving and sharing the history of her community and her country.

“Liz” Clark died May 2 at Hospice House in Boardman, less than three weeks before what would have been her 99th birthday on May 20.

“We lost a very good one. She was the sharpest woman I know,” said Sandra Mahaffey, who served with Clark as part of the Harriet Taylor Upton Association, Trumbull Town Hall board, Warren City Federation of Women’s Clubs and other organizations. “She went to meet the good Lord, and I’m going to tell you, she still had her mind. She was sharp as a tack. It’s just her little body gave out.”

On April 30 Mahaffey acknowledged Clark’s contributions to the Trumbull Town Hall lecture series before Jim Tressel’s talk at Packard Music Hall. It was the final program for the organization, which disbanded after 47 years.

Clark was born in Warren in 1926. She graduated from Cortland High School and taught for 28 years in Howland, but her efforts to educate others and improve her community didn’t end when she retired from teaching.

Meghan Reed, executive director of the Trumbull County Historical Society, said, “Liz Clark was just an absolute force within the historical organizations. She would single-handedly organize all of the school tours for Warren City Schools for years. She was just so dedicated to preserving our history, particularly the history of the Upton House and ensuring that it was saved for the community. And she was a longtime member of the Trumbull County Historical Society, and we greatly appreciate her impact and her support on our organization.”

Mahaffey said Clark often would give copies of the U.S. Constitution to the groups she spoke to and the people she met.

“She gave many talks to the women’s clubs, teaching history,” Mahaffey said. “She loved the Presidential First Ladies, especially Lou Hoover (wife of Herbert Hoover). That was her favorite.”

Clark was a 35-year member of the Harriet Taylor Upton Association (as well as a past president and emeritus board member). She was a past president and and 40-year member of the Trumbull 100, served on the Community Block Grant Committee for 30 years and volunteered as a docent for 23 years at the Butler Institute of American Art.

“Liz was by far one of the most active citizens in the community, particularly one who is her age,” said attorney Ned Gold, who worked with Clark as a member of Trumbull 100. “She was always involved and always enthusiastic about her involvement.”

They also both were members of Christ Episcopal Church in Warren, and she had the same attitude there.

“She was there every Sunday, and always with a smile, always with enthusiasm for everything she did,” Gold said.

Clark earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Youngstown State University, and she worked to increase the educational opportunities available for other women.