MADISON - Clare McArdle, age 87, of Madison, passed away on Friday, April 4, 2025. She was born on January 6, 1938, in Lincoln, Nebraska, the daughter of Harry and Marie (Schneider) Grasmick.

Clare is survived by her husband of 64 years, Michael. She is further survived by her son, Michael P. McArdle; daughter-in-law, Kristin; grandchildren, Andrew and Molly, daughter, Carin; son-in-law, Dan; and granddaughter, Summit Tillinghast.

The McArdles moved to Madison in 1964 and found work friends, a home and a neighborhood they both nourished and cherished. Clare and Michael helped to organize the Marquette Neighborhood Association and the Wil-Mar Neighborhood Center. They discovered the excitement of turning dreams into realistic plans through community organization.

Clare and Michael were also supportive of the Madison Opera and the Madison Symphony Orchestra. They also sang in the Madison Symphony Chorus for 25 years. Clare’s favorite word, harmony, was in evidence in her relationships with others.

Clare’s combined degree in nursing and social work allowed for a career as a medical social worker at St. Mary’s Hospital and as a lecturer and clinical instructor with the UW School of Social Work.

After retiring in the year 2000, Clare focused her talents on three areas of community building. First, she was the president of the Dane County Legue of Woman Voters (LWV) and served on the Wisconsin LWV State Board and Legislative Committee. Second, she participated as a volunteer mental health worker with the Badger Chapter of the Red Cross for 10 years. Thirdly, she was among the first 100 women to pledge $1,000 to start a fund for women.

When a fund for women was granted $50,000 to Dane County Parent Council to fund transitional housing for young single mothers and their babies, Clare saw an opportunity to involve fellow members of Bethel Lutheran Church to support the program. A dedicated group of Bethel members founded The Hope House Building Corporation which purchased a home and supplied countless volunteers to support the young women through their adjustment to parenting.

Clare’s wish and her work was to foster harmonious and respectful relationships among her community and to embrace every opportunity available to live in peace with each other.

A memorial service will be held at BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH, 312 Wisconsin Ave., Madison, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 7, 2025, with a luncheon to follow. A visitation will be held at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday.

In lieu of flowers, donation may be made to a charity of your choice or Wisconsin Parkinson’s Association. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420

Clare G. McArdle

January 06, 1938 - April 04, 2025

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