Lori Marie Clarke
July 29, 1955-Aug. 20, 2019
Santa Maria, California

Lori Marie Clarke, 64, of Santa Maria, CA passed away on August 20th, 2019. Lori was born in Oakland, CA on July 29th, 1955. She attended grade school in Mountain View, CA and junior and senior high schools in Los Altos, CA.

Lori married Michael Clarke and lived in Sunnyvale, CA. She worked for her stepfather, Robert Strain, at his automotive shop, Custom Alignment, for 15 years as Office Manager. Lori then decided to follow her passion for food and cooking and became the owner/operator of The Backdoor Eatery in Los Altos, CA. In addition to other food retail and catering work, Lori started her own candy business and made unique and delicious toffees. In 2014, she relocated to Santa Maria and continued working in food services and home care aid.

Lori loved her dogs, especially her pitbull Hank and her mini pinscher, Ruby. She was a talented artist, loved music and was a big fan of Janis Joplin, The Doors and other great bands from that era.

Lori is survived by her mother, Elizabeth Strain of Mountain View, CA and brother Aaron Strain of Chicago, IL; and her sisters, Susan Ann Gibson of Kenilworth, NJ and Mary Ann Weaver and family of North Hampton, PA and stepmother Sally Gibson of Whitehall, PA.

Lori is preceded in death by her father, John Gibson and stepfather, Robert Strain and former husband Michael Clarke.