Clara B. (Hassell) Tarkelsen OBITUARY

Clara B. (Hassell) Tarkelsen, 97 of Virginia Beach received her wings on April 9, 2024 with her loved ones at her bedside in the Hospital of Extended Recovery-Norfolk General. Clara was born October 16, 1926 in North Carolina and raised in the Historic Town of Bath. The daughter of the late Edward J. and Elizabeth Marsh Brooks. Preceded in death by her husband, Arnold P. Tarkelsen, brothers, John K., Edward Darst, Joseph B. Brooks & sister Mary B. Archbell & son in law, John H. Garris. Left to cherish her love and memory are her children Robert (Donna) Hassell of Tinton Falls, NJ, Patricia S. Hassell-Garris, Tany C. Hassell (Bryan Blow) both of Virginia Beach, grandchildren Robert (Kathryn) Hassell, Kathryn (Joe) McCurdy, Anne (Adam) Hoehn plus nine loving great grandchildren, in addition other family members, very dear adopted daughters and many friends whom she adored.

Clara graduated from Bath High School in 1944. She moved to Norfolk and worked at the Norfolk Naval Station. Her love of dancing and music led her to the Palomar & Starlight Room where she met her children’s father Sidney D. Hassell. He was drafted, decided to enlist and they were married in Bath. Sidney was sent to France & Germany. Clara continued to work at the base and like many women during wartime took on a man’s job driving a forklift as part of her responsibility. While raising her children, she ran a Country Store at NAS Norfolk where she ordered, stocked, sold and did inventory all on her own, her work ethics were impeccable. Once she retired from the base and other supplemental jobs one including driving a school bus, she remarried and became a nanny to children that remained in her life. With the exception of the last five years living at Atlantic Shores Retirement Community, she lived in Norfolk.

Growing up on a farm instilled a love for vegetables and gardening. Clara was a great cook who loved to entertain, dance, bowl, play cards, games, jigsaw puzzles, the beach, crabbing, travel, fashion, reading and more. Her greatest joy and achievement was raising three children on her own. She was not afraid of hard work and lived her life with determination, courage and love. Being brought up in St. Thomas Episcopal Church, she passed her beliefs and teachings to her children. Clara never met a stranger, she welcomed all, loved animals, children and took great pride in her home and yard. She was adamant about taking care of an automobile. She enjoyed the theatre, traveling, baseball and watching golf especially Tiger Woods. To know her was to love her!

A special thank you to all who cared for Clara this year in her journey. She was so appreciative. Memorial donations may be made to Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation.org

A service will be held on Saturday, May 4, 2024 at Noon~Woodlawn Memorial Gardens 6329 E. Virginia Beach Blvd. Norfolk followed by a Celebration of Life 1:30-3:30pm at Atlantic Shores Retirement Community-1200 Alliance Dr. Virginia Beach.