Memorial service at Markeim Art Center draws many whose lives she impacted
Adele Clark Katz passed away on Jan. 25, just four days shy of her 80th birthday, and was memorialized in a lengthy and heartwarming service at the Markeim Art Center on Saturday, Feb. 16.
Along with personal anecdotes and remembrances, her family also celebrated the fact it still has deep roots in Haddonfield. As one of a few African-American children who grew up in the borough, she developed an early appreciation for resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity.
Clark Katz was born and raised on Douglass Avenue, so named for the former slave, abolitionist and statesman who died in 1895. She believed in Haddonfield and the opportunities it could provide her children, although its environment was rough on her forebears.
”We lived next door to each other, at 219 and 221 Douglass Avenue. It’s not insignificant that we lived on (the part of the street) that intersected with Lincoln Avenue. Adele and I started school during the time that the public schools were being desegregated. What happened when we started, we went to an integrated kindergarten at the Central School and then you would come for the next eight years at a two-room school and then, when you went to ninth grade, you would catch up with the people you knew before at the high school, which was integrated,” said childhood friend Nancy Kirby.
“It wasn’t all the school system, but the support we received from our community. I think that’s an important story that needs to be told. Adele wanted her children to get their high-school degree from Haddonfield because the school system was excellent. You also had to be better than average for people to give you any recognition.”
At the age of 38, as the single mother of seven children, Clark Katz enrolled in college, and attained summa cum laude status in Rutgers University’s class of 1981. While at Rutgers, she garnered recognition for her commitment to social change, social service, and education as a recipient of the Brian C. Wright Award for Social Work Ethics and Values, induction into the Athenaeum Honor Society, and was designated as a University Scholar.
In adulthood, devoted to improving society, Clark Katz enhanced the lives of many through her professional service as founder and executive director of the Sister-to-Sister Mentoring Program of Montclair, Inc. as well as at the American Association for Retired Persons and the Urban League of Camden and Montclair.
Her most meaningful, and longest lasting impact, appeared to arise from her work with Sister-to-Sister, a nonprofit that is entrusted by the community of Montclair to actively foster safe and nurturing relationships between Montclair High School girls and caring female mentors.
“I’ve been mentoring with Adele for the past 19 years. My daughter was 11 years old when we started. And I was with her ever since. She was an integral part of my life,” said Joellen Green. “Adele and I were known as the Coretta Scott King and Rosa Parks of the Sister-to-Sister program. I was her right-hand person and I loved it. We want to carry on her legacy and do whatever we can to keep it going.”
Doris Walker-Bennett, who has served as executive director of the program for the last two years, marveled at Clark Katz’ ability to pick out those who she thought would be integral to its continuation — even if they didn’t know it at first. The pair was integral in taking Sister-to-Sister from its original intent 20 years ago, and expanding it to all grade levels.
“Since 2013, we’ve had all of the grade levels involved. The district supports us and helps to fund us in terms of space and time and stipends for teachers to work with students,” she added.
Walker-Bennett said she felt honored to be able to continue her work and legacy and to continue the work to make the program what Adele wanted it to be. From Adele’s passion, she knows how she wants to contribute going forward.
Though Clark Katz was deeply committed to her work and family, she had a playful side as well. Celebrants spoke about her love for “Star Trek” and all things related to Oprah Winfrey, as well as her playing pinochle and other card games to keep her mind sharp. An avid reader, her favorite authors were Toni Morrison, Jonathan Kellerman and Maya Angelou.
“One thing I think is important, is to know that she came from good stock. We’re five generations strong in Haddonfield. A long, long time ago, a woman named Florence LeCompte bought three plots of land on Douglass Avenue, which was unheard of for African-Americans to do at that time. And that hard work, being kind to people, that kind of life ethic has been a part of our family ever since,” said Adrienne Rhodes, the oldest of Clark Katz’ daughters.
Memorial donations in Adele Clark Katz’ name can be made to Sister-to-Sister of Montclair, Inc., attn: Dr. Doris Walker-Bennett, 32 Madison Ave., Montclair, N.J. 07942.
