Carmen Clark Buser, 99, of Port Charlotte Florida, passed away Wednesday, October 23, 2013. She was born May 25, 1914 in Toledo, Ohio. Carmen graduated from Libbey High School in Toledo. She was honored by her high school as a "Distinguished Alumnus" in 1994 for her work in civic organizations and community development. She graduated from Toledo University with a BBA degree in 1938. After moving to Rochester, N.Y. in 1950, she volunteered in many community organizations including Girl Scouts, 4-H, Christian Youth at Genesee Baptist Church, Board for Cooperative Extension Services, the Rochester Memorial Art Gallery, Civic Music Association, Red Cross, the Brighton Historical Society, March of Dimes and the American Association of University Women. In her work as the executive director for the Brighton, N.Y. Recreation and Youth Service Agency, Carmen was instrumental in the development of programs for special needs children as well as senior citizens, founding the Brighton Symphony Orchestra, the Brighton Art club, the Riverside Community Center and the Brighton Town Park. The Carmen Clark Lodge at the park was named in her honor. Throughout her life she was a community and political activist at the local, state and national levels.

She is survived by her daughters, Cheryl Clark and Deborah Guilbault, both of Port Charlotte, Florida, and Christine (Charles) Wellington of Monroe, four grandchildren, Jessica Wellington Beardmore (Monroe), Alison Shorter (Boston, Mass.), Ben Walters (Seattle, Wa.), and four great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband John Clark in 1982 and William Buser in 2002 and grandson Jonathan Wellington in 1999.