Ann Clarke died peacefully at Barnet Hospital surrounded by family. She touched many lives as a sister, wife, parent, grandparent, friend and teacher. She was born and raised in South India, the daughter of a Danish missionary and an English scientist. Her childhood was split between Chennai( then Madras) and Kodaikanal. Her father was Superintendent of the Government Museum and they were fortunate to live in a house in the grounds at the museum. Her early schooling in India was a mixture of home schooling, correspondence classes and the International school in Kodai. She had many wonderful memories of her childhood in India and had several opportunities to return and share them with her family. After the war the family returned to England in March 1945 and Ann entered University of Reading at the age of 17 where she went on to obtain a Degree in Psychology and met her future husband Alan. She received her Ph.D. from the University of London in 1950 before staring work in the Manor Hospital, Epsom. So began a highly successful career focused on mental retardation, child psychology and human development. In 1962 Ann moved to Hull where she ultimately became the first women to be awarded a personal Chair at the University. On her retirement in 1990 she moved with her husband to Barnet to be closer to their son Bob and his growing family.She was preceded in death her late husband Alan. Ann is survived by her brother John, her sons Peter and Bob as well as much loved grandchildren Thomas and Emma.
