Goldenwest Credit Union staffers are mourning the loss of longtime leader Shelley Clarke, who has died from brain cancer.

Clarke, who began her career at the Ogden, Utah, credit union as a teller in 1974, retired as president/CEO in December 2011 after some 37 years of service.

She has been credited for helping Goldenwest CU grow from $190 million to $780 million in assets and more than doubling membership from 41,000 to 83,000. In addition, the knowledge gained from her experience greatly helped Goldenwest in establishing best practices for operations, systems, marketing, and management.

Clarke shared her talents with many organizations such as serving on the Governor's Advisory board and the Ogden/Weber Chamber of Commerce.

A dedicated advocate for the credit union industry on both state and national levels she served on many advisory boards and councils including NAFCU, CUES, Filene Research Council and the Utah League of Credit Unions chairperson.

Prior to her retirement, during a special event last December, the organization she felt honored and privileged to be a part of surprised Clarke by naming its headquarters the Shelley B. Clarke Building.