Margaret Clare Shoemyen's Obituary
Margaret Clare Shoemyen, 91, died September 11, 2017 in Gainesville, Florida. She was born in Columbia, South Carolina to Edward Francis Wilkinson and Elizabeth Mae Wilkinson. She was predeceased by her husband, Janos Z. Shoemyen, her sister, Mary Gaston, and foster son Dean Tekwood.
Clare often said that she “grew up” at Frogmore Manor on St. Helena Island, South Carolina, where she lived with her maternal grandmother, sister, Mary, aunts and cousins while her parents were working for a British missionary society in Lagos, Nigeria. She spent much of her early childhood exploring with her cousins the creeks and woods of the sea islands. Later she lived with her parents in Nigeria until they returned to England where she stayed until the outbreak of World War II. She returned to the US to finish high school in Maryland, and started college at the University of Pennsylvania. She completed her degree in occupational therapy in London, moving to rejoin her parents after the war. In 1950, Clare married Janos, a Hungarian refugee in England and together they immigrated to Philadelphia.
After their daughter, Sibet, was born, the family moved to central Florida to work at a ranch owned by a Christian service organization. Son, John, was born and when Janos was hurt in a ranch accident, the family moved to Miami and Clare began her American OT career. In 1958, the family moved to Devon, England, so Clare could pursue her MA-OTR from Exeter University. They returned to Miami where Clare worked at Jackson Memorial Hospital. In the early ‘60s, Clare accepted a position as Chief of Staff of the newly-formed Occupational Therapy department at Shands Hospital, bringing the family to Gainesville. There, she developed the Shoemyen Diagnostic Battery as a psychiatric evaluation tool. Her love of nature and gardening inspired her to explore horticultural OT therapy. When she moved across the street to work with the VA, she was fondly known as “the plant lady,” creating a greenhouse space for patients.
Her retirement in 1989 provided her more freedom to continue her life of giving. She was active with the Alachua Friends of the Library and volunteered many years at Dudley Farm State Park where she was Volunteer of the Year. Clare always delighted in sharing her gardening, cooking, and sewing with those around her. She offered plant clippings and garden produce, created favorite coats and dresses for her family and friends, and invited the world into her home to share tea or Saffran cookies. She regularly cared for her grandchildren who grew up nearby; they will remember her love, her bravery, and generosity. The daughter of a priest, the Anglican Church remained important throughout her life, and she was active with All Saints Anglican Church where she served on both the vestry and on the Altar Guild.
She is survived by her sister, Gwyneth Frances Ross Wilkinson Love, Cefn Crug, Wales; a daughter, Sibet Clare Ottilia Shoemyen Grantham (James), Gainesville, FL; a son, John Lawrence Shermyen (Anne), Alachua, FL; and three grandchildren, Katherine Ilona Grantham (Jared Heiler), Atlanta, GA, John Gray Kalloi Shermyen, Gainesville, FL, and Sarah Francis Fitch Shermyen, Athens, GA.
A memorial communion service will be held on Sunday, October 8, 2017 at 3 PM at All Saints Anglican Church, 12880 NW 39th Ave., Gainesville, FL. Family will also host a gathering in celebration of her life, 4-5:30 PM, October 8, 2017 at the WILLIAMS-THOMAS FUNERAL HOME WESTAREA, 823 NW 143rd St., Newberry, FL 32669. Memorials may be made to: Friends of Dudley, 18730 W Newberry Rd, Newberry, FL 32669, and Occupational Therapy Scholarship University of Florida Foundation Fund # 014367, “In memory of Clare Shoemyen,” P.O. Box 14425, Gainesville, FL, 32604.
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