Luanne “Lu” Estelle Clarke of McKinney, Texas was an accomplished writer, copyright editor, advertising/marketing professional, dedicated wife, mother, sister, grandmother, aunt and beloved friend. She passed away on January 7, 2021 after a courageous battle with early-onset Alzheimer’s at the age of 57. Luanne was born on September 21, 1963, in Goldsboro, North Carolina to Allan L. and Barbara Ashton (Behn) Young. She was raised in Derby, Kansas and later moved to Dallas, Texas in the 1980s. After graduating from Derby High School, Luanne earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from William Allen White School of Journalism at the University of Kansas. She was a devoted mother of two, worked as an advertising executive in Dallas and Irving for many years, and later in life began a career in medical billing. Luanne married Grant P. Clarke in 1990, and moved to McKinney, Texas where they raised their children. Her family was the center of her world and she devoted much of her life to the caring and support of her husband and children whom she loved so very much. She was a long-time member of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in McKinney, Texas. Luanne enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. She loved reading, and instilled this love for literature in her children. Her kind and loving spirit was felt by all who knew her.
Luanne was preceded in death by her parents, Allen L. and Barbara A. (Behn) Young, and her loving stepfather, James C. Ashton Jr. and sister, Mary Ruth Young.
She is survived by her husband, Grant Clarke of McKinney, Texas; two children, Hannah Clarke of McKinney, Texas and Christian Clarke and wife, Hailee Bisel Clarke of Anna, Texas; siblings, Margaret Young of Wichita, Kansas, Mark Young of Sunnyvale, California, Elizabeth Arnold and husband, Anthony of McKinney, Texas, Mark Ashton of Salmon Creek, Washington, Greg Ashton and wife, Kim de Macedo of Woodinville, Washington and Kevin Ashton and wife, Brenda of Derby, Kansas; nieces and nephews, Erin Cooper and husband, Jason, Megan Neill and husband Dan, Abrielle Arnold and husband, Kyle Rhinehart, Jacob Arnold, Lydia Arnold, and one grandchild, Harvey Clarke.
Her family has decided to have a memorial service at a later date. Memorials or donations may be made in Luanne’s name to the Community Food Pantry of McKinney, http://www.community-foodpantry.org/ or Meals on Wheels Collin County - https://mealsonwheelscc.org/