Derna G. Conklin

Derna G. Conklin, 73, of Mount Pleasant, SC died peacefully on Sunday, December 28, 2014 in Mount Pleasant, SC. She was born on Friday, March 07, 1941, in Newark, NJ to the late Lena Crincoli and Salvatore Vincelli. Derna graduated from Belleville High School, Belleville, NJ in 1959 where she was a member of the National Honor Society. She graduated Berkeley Business School, in West Orange, NJ in 1960. She completed and graduated from a three year course at the American Ceramics Manufacturing School of Arts, enabling her to teach teachers in the art of Ceramics. Derna taught ceramics for 12 joyful years until moving to South Carolina. Upon moving to the Isle of Palms in 1982, she was an active member of Stella Maris Catholic Church. She served as an officer in the Stella Maris Women's Club and volunteered for many years. Derna also was a member of The East Cooper Women's Club of which she also held office. It was her pleasure to volunteer at the Medical University of SC in the pediatrics intensive care unit. Among other volunteer positions, Meals On Wheels was one of her favorites for several years. Her favorite charities were Stella Maris Church, Meals On Wheels, the Poor Clare Nuns and various other religious charities. Derna's life long career and joy was being an exhibiting artist . She was an award winning artist and member of the Charleston Artist Guild; a member of the Mount Pleasant Artist's Guild and above all had the privilege of teaching watercolor classes to many talented people over the years. The rewards for having done so were great. Derna enthusiastically enjoyed many friends. She loved playing cards, Mah Jongg, traveling and above all, her favorite pass time was being with the family she loved. Derna is survived by her Husband, Bruce Conklin, of Mount Pleasant, SC, three sons, Scott B. Conklin, of Scranton, PA, Jeffrey Wm. Conklin and his wife, Kelly Conklin, of Hickory, NC, Mark T. Conklin, of Mount Pleasant, SC, two grandchildren, Jenifer L. Conklin and Avery T. Conklin of Hickory, NC, one brother, Ralph Vincelli of Union, NJ and four nieces, Donna Anderson, of Tuxedo Park, Ny, Susan Bishop of Monroe, NY, Pamela Stevens of Tuxedo, NY and Kathy Stankiewicz of Bethlehem, PA. Derna was preceded in death by her parents Lena and Salvatore Vincelli, and two sisters, Josephine Sardullo and Rosemarie Rocco. The family will receive friends on Thursday, January 1, 2015 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at McAlister-Smith Funeral Home, 1520 Rifle Range Road, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464. The rosary will be recited at 5:00 pm. A Rite of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, January 2, 2015 at 11:00 AM, Stella Maris Catholic Church, 1204 Middle St, Sullivans Island, SC 29482, with Rev. Msgr. Lawrence B. McInerny, J.C.L. officiating. Entombment will follow at a later date in the Columbarium of St. Benedict Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Stella Maris Catholic Church, P.O. Box, Sullivans Island, SC 29482 and Monastery of St. Clare, 37 McCauley Road, Travelers Rest, SC 29690. Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at www.McAlister-Smith.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to McALISTER-SMITH FUNERAL HOME, MT PLEASANT CHAPEL, 1520 RIFLE RANGE RD., MT PLEASANT, SC (843) 884-3833.