Olivia Clarke passed away Jan. 15, 2025, at the age of 46.

Clarke was a Chicago-area journalist and publicist who, after being diagnosed with breast cancer, started a nonprofit called Humor Beats Cancer meant to help lift the spirits of cancer patients. She began her career as an intern at the Chicago Tribune before taking a job as an education reporter with the Times of Northwest Indiana. She moved to work as an editor for the Chicago Lawyer and the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin newspaper.

In 2013, Clarke went into public relations at Greentarget Global Group, then two years later joined the PR team at Kirkland & Ellis. She headed the Chicago chapter of IU's Alumni Association from 2013-2015 and created an art mentorship program at Augustus Tolton Academy in 2017.