Ellen C. Younkins

ALBANY – Ellen Clark Younkins, 87, of Albany, passed away on Saturday, February 12, 2022 at her residence. Born in Amsterdam, she was the daughter of the late Helen and James Clark.

She was raised in Schenectady and graduated from Draper High School in 1952. Ellen graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology School of Art and Design in 1956. She worked as a graphic artist for over 30 years starting with an Albany advertising agency and then as assistant artist in the office of Governor Nelson Rockefeller. Ellen was subsequently hired to help develop an art department within the New York State Senate and later became Director of Graphic Arts in the Senate Office of Communications until her retirement in 1991. She started a small business designing and creating handbags and accessories after her retirement and continued to do so for many years.

Ellen married Thomas Younkins in 1992 and was proud to become part of his wonderful family. Thomas passed away on November 19, 2017.

Ellen is survived by her twin brother James T. Clark of Poughkeepsie; nephews, James A. (Jane) Clark, of Okatie, SC, David (Beth Ann) Clark of Mt. Pleasant, SC, niece Carol Clark of Parker Ford, PA and stepchildren Karen (Daniel) Kana off Bedford, NH, Dana (Frank) Musciano of Falmouth, ME and Glenn Younkins of State College, PA.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, March 11, 2022 at 11:00 am at Christ the King Church, 20 Sumter Ave. Guilderland. Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Ellen’s family from 10 to 11 am at Christ the King Church, prior to the Mass. The Mass will be livestreamed and can be viewed from the church website at www.ctkparishny.org. Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Ellen to the Guilderland Food Pantry, 4 Charles Blvd., Guilderland, NY 12084. To leave a message of condolence for the family, visit www.CannonFuneral.com

Ellen wrote part of her own obituary in poetry form. It reads:

I was born on September ninety thirty-four, along with my twin brother that my mother bore.

My early education was at Draper High School, where I learned the basics and the golden rule.

I went on from there to college at RIT, where I studied art and got a degree.

I remember fondly my parents, my mother and dad, who predeceased me by many years, and it makes me feel sad. My mother Helen Mann Clark and my father too, James Gilchrist Clark, I love both of you.