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Patricia "Trish" Clarke: A Life of Community Service and Advocacy

Patricia "Trish" Clarke, born in Twin Falls, Idaho, has dedicated her life to public service, community advocacy, and empowering seniors and veterans in Shasta County, California. After earning a degree in legal secretarial studies, she began her career as a paralegal. In 1962, she moved to San Jose, California, where she met her future husband, Bob Clarke, who worked for the U.S. Forest Service. The couple married in 1971 and relocated to Ontario, California, before settling in Shasta County in 1977 to pursue an exciting job opportunity for Bob. Once their son started school full-time, Clarke re-entered the workforce by launching her own business, "The Detector Lady of BTR Detectors," showcasing her entrepreneurial spirit.



Trish Clarke Featured Senior — The Senior Source


Clarke's commitment to community leadership grew from a painful personal experience. She watched her grandmother, Mitchell, decline in a nursing home due to isolation and lack of purpose. This experience reinforced her belief that "no matter if you are rich or poor, seniors need a purpose to live," driving her advocacy for elderly independence and engagement.


Her political journey in Anderson—affectionately called "south county"—included roles on the Anderson Planning Commission, City Council, and as Mayor before her election to the Shasta County Board of Supervisors for District 5 from January 1991 to January 2007. During her 16 years on the board, she was chosen as Board Chair four times (1993, 1998, 2003, and 2006). She worked hard to bring more resources to veterans—helping establish a standalone Veterans Service Office—and to support seniors in the community.


One of Clarke's greatest achievements was founding the Frontier Senior Center in Anderson. It opened in November 1996. As president of the Anderson Area Association of Senior Citizens Organizations (AAASCO), she has served more than 5,000 seniors in southern Shasta County. The area's nutrition program had been moved several times, creating instability. Clarke documented the entire effort in her account, "The Dream Come True." She secured a $500,000 grant, rallied volunteers—including her husband Bob—and negotiated key donations. Together, they built a self-sustaining center that provides meals, activities, and health counseling. It operates without any federal, state, or county funding.



Clarke co-founded the Older Adult Policy Council (OAPC) around 1998–2000, focusing on senior advocacy and fundraisers like the Celebrity Soup Kitchen. Even after retiring from the Shasta County Board of Supervisors in 2007—the same year her husband Bob passed away—Clarke stayed active in her community. She hosted a weekly radio show on Free Fire Radio (KCNR 96.5 FM & 1460 AM) for several years. On the show, she discussed local issues and encourages civic participation, especially among young people.


As of 2026, Clarke continues her advocacy as a member of the Shasta County Commission on Aging, where she has personally funded essential items like pop-up tents and tables due to the commission's lack of resources, demonstrating her ongoing commitment to supporting underserved groups. 


Now 82 and residing in Anderson, California, since 1978, Clarke's legacy endures through institutions like the Frontier Senior Center and her tireless efforts to foster purpose, community, and empowerment in Shasta County.


Come and meet Patricia Clark at the fundraising event she is hosting on behalf of the Frontier Senior Center on March 14, 2026 at 4:00 PM. Tickets are available at www.frontierseniorcenter.com/upcoming-events. All proceeds will go toward renovating the roof on the Senior Center.



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