Dover, NH: Despina Chatis Clark, 88, of the Paddock Condominium, passed away on Friday, April 21, 2017. She was a resident of Hyder House, suffering from dementia. She was born on November 23, 1928 in Lawrence, MA; the daughter of George and Koula (Tokatlides) Chatis.

She started piano lessons with Dorothy Simpson Gardner at age 6 and later studied with the Leveilleux Studio. She was the first organist at Sts. Helen and Constantine Greek Orthodox Church while she was still a student at Stephen Barker Grammar School. The choir was formed at that time. She accompanied the choir on radio station WLAW, playing the station's Wurlitzer organ. In Grammar School she was a Girl Scout, and later served as a camp councilor. She taught a few students while attending Searles High School in Methuen, MA. After high school graduation, she began a long career of piano and organ teaching and playing. She entered New England Conservatory, and a few years later studied at Boston Conservatory. Later she attended many summer Colby College Summer Workshops, furthering her knowledge of organ playing and leading choirs. She played at various parties, receptions, and concerts, and was substitute organist in the local area, before becoming the organist at the First United Presbyterian Church in Lawrence. She was active in the International Institute in Lawrence helping in the office and also helping newcomers learn English. She was a member and Past President of the former Pianoforte Teachers of Greater Lawrence. She was possibly the last member of that organization to pass away. She worked at other jobs besides teaching, which allowed her to take two trips to Europe to visit her relatives. After marriage, she and her husband moved to Milford, NH, where she taught piano in the area, was a substitute teacher in the local schools, and was a substitute organist locally. In 1989, they moved to Dover, NH and she continuing teaching piano and being the substitute organist, later becoming the Organist at Rand Memorial Congregational Church.

She was a member of many musical organizations: They include The American Guild of Organists with membership in the local Chapters: Merrimack Valley, NH and Portland Maine Chapters, The Organ Historical Society and the former Boston Organ Club, through which she met her husband at a Boston meeting, The Massachusetts Teachers Association, the Music Teachers National Association, through which she became a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music, The NH Music Teachers Association, The Seacoast Music Teachers Association, American Theatre Organ Society and its nearby Chapter, Pine Tree Chapter, and longtime sustaining member of the Methuen Memorial Music Hall. She belonged to Ruth Chapter Order of the Eastern Star, Manchester, NH, Rugged Cross Shrine of Jerusalem, Boscawen, NH, the Manchester, NH and Reading MA, Assemblies of the Social Order of the Beauceant, an association of wives and widows of the Knights Templar; she was the Organist at both Assemblies.

Despina is survived by her husband of forty four years, John B. Clark; her brother, Jordan Chatis and his wife, Evangeline; nieces Andrea Chatis, Cynthia Chatis, Pamela Chatis, Nancy White and Valerie Ivey; nephews, John Chatis and Scott Chatis, and five grandnieces.

She was predeceased by her parents, George and Koula Chatis and a brother Leo Chatis.

Memorial contributions may be made in her name to The Methuen Memorial Music Hall Scholarship Fund, 192 Broadway, Methuen, MA 01844.

The family appreciates the care given by the staffs at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital, Kirkwood Corner Assisted Living and the Hyder Family Hospice House.

Friends and family may call on Tuesday, April 25, 2017 from 5:00-8:00pm at Wiggin-Purdy- McCooey-Dion Funeral Home, 655Central Ave, Dover, NH 03820.

The funeral will be at 11:00am on Wednesday, April 26, 2017 at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Hale St., Dover, NH. To sign our online guestbook, please go to www.purdyfuneralservice.com