Betty L. Clark

Betty Lou (Monk Klahn Hennik) Clark

On Monday, March 3, 1941, you came into this world, and you left us peacefully on Thursday, October 9, 2025.

Born to Edith (Morelock) Monk and Kermit J. Monk in Jackson, Mississippi, Betty Lou Monk joined an older sister and brother (Dorothy, Willis and Bobby). Early family life was difficult, the kind of story that is so unbelievable, it turns into a movie. This start lit the fire of persistence, perseverance and resilience that burned until the very end.

Beloved Family

Our mother made her way to Rochester, NY as a young teenager and shortly thereafter started her family, having 5 daughters. Always taking pride in her daughters, quietly celebrating in our achievements, she always believed we could, would and should do better.

The line-up:

Daughter Karen Sue (Klahn) Reyes (& husband Orlando), Grandson Christopher Callery (& wife Adria Callery), Granddaughter Kathryn (Callery) Ingram (& husband Matt Ingram), Grandson Jeffrey Callery and Granddaughter Jennifer (Callery) Davis

Daughter Lisa Beth (Hennik), (William) Burkovich, Grandson Lucas Burkovich (& wife Taylor Burkovich), Granddaughter Sarah Burkovich

Daughter Amy Anne (Hennik) Chernoff, Grandson Owen Chernoff

Daughter Krisy Lynne Hennik (10/21/08), Grandson Dorian Merritt (& fiancee Tiffany St. Denis and Granddaughter Alannah Merritt (& partner Duane Butler)

Daughter Patti Lou (Hennik) Kelly (1/27/13), Grandson George Kelly (& partner Callie Anderson)

A large and growing family, she was Gramma to 10 grandchildren and partners and 14 great-grandchildren (Aurora Callery, Eaven Callery, Liam Laird, Austin Callery, Ayden Driggs, Kyler Driggs, Lilly Davis, Kailani Merritt, Hayln Merritt, Thais Merritt, Atlas Merritt (10/26/21), Cali Merritt (10/22/10), Harlowe Young, Dimitri Young, Reina Butler, Krislynne Butler and dog mom to Rags, Rufus, Sammy, Shala, Bubba, Willie, Lollipop and Hopi.

Fueled by a desire to make a better life for her girls, she embarked on a remarkable career in transportation spanning decades and pursued with passion. After a short stint as a bus driver, she became the first female to hold the position of Road Supervisor and later Director of Training for RGRTA, requiring advanced education and certifications to be a certified NYS 19A Examiner. Credentialed to train and test bus drivers, tractor trailer drivers, law enforcement command vehicle operators and certified in BAT testing. Hundreds of Regional Transit Service bus drivers got their start in her classroom. Retiring early to care for her beloved husband, George H. Clark (11/12/01), she went on to a post-retirement supervisory role with Paul Revere Transportation at the Grand Canyon. She was a woman of many talents including an expert seamstress, licensed hairdresser, dog groomer, master baker and cake decorator, painter, as well as certified master gardener. Often lovingly referred to as “MacGyver” for her ability to expertly tackle any home related task. Those closest to her would insist she could fix anything with a wad of gum, rubber bands and popsicle sticks.

Later in life

An enthusiastic member of a community of full time RVers, she traveled the US extensively making friends wherever she went. She loved the freedom of traveling with her pets and grandchildren and spent many happy retirement years in the Grand Canyon and Umatilla, FL., returning to Rochester during the pandemic. We will think of her often, tending to her plants, watching Fox News, playing bingo, drinking margaritas and trolling the aisles at Goodwill.

A life well spent and a legacy of grit, determination and well intentioned, salty advice. She will be greatly missed every day.

Video clip of Don Alhart learning to drive a bus:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPoj8CYDYBJ/?igsh=MTFvaW5sZW44eXJ1cw==

The family will receive friends 11:30-2:30pm Sunday October 19, 2025 at New Comer Cremations and Funerals, 6 Empire Blvd. (next to Donut's Delite) corner of Culver Rd. Following visitation, a Memorial Service will be held at 2:30 pm in the chapel of the funeral home.

To sign Betty's guestbook scroll to the bottom of the page.