Mrs. Shirley Clapper

Mrs. Shirley P Clapper of Craneville Place of Dalton, formally of 85 Howard Street, Pittsfield, MA passed peacefully, on February 12, 2014 after battling Alzheimer's for 4 years, surrounded by family. She is the widow of Winthrop (Paul) T. Clapper who died in 1973. Shirley was born in Pittsfield the daughter of the late Mr. & Mrs. Samuel D. Pullano. Mrs. Clapper graduated from Berkshire Community College in 1980 with High Honors in Human Services. She attended Pittsfield Public Schools. Shirley, a passionate hard worker, was proud of the many positions she held throughout her life. Shirley was employed at the General Electric Company, St. Stephen's Church, England Brothers, and was Nutrition Assistant at her beloved Berkshire WIC where in 5 short years she worked her way to the Director of Berkshire WIC, a position she held from 1988-2010. Shirley was named the Massachusetts WIC Director of the Year 2005. She received a Certificate of Achievement for 25 years of Dedicated Service to Berkshire Health Systems. She attended WIC Conferences held all across America (in numerous States). Shirley was a member of St. Stephen's Church, and active in several church groups. She served the church as the Executive Secretary, served 2 separate terms as President for the Women of St. Stephen's, held both the Secretary and President positions of St. Catherine's Chapter at St. Stephen's, and was a member of St. Stephens' choir for 60 years. She also sang in the First Church Oratorio Choir for 25 years. She was a member of the Incorporation Committee of St. Stephens', a member of the Altar Guild, Vestry and worked on numerous other committees for the church. She traveled throughout Europe singing with the Berkshire Choir. She had been a Cadets Girl Scout Leader for 7 years, a co-leader for a Widows Outreach Group during the 1970's , a volunteer for Berkshire Home Care, President of the Board of Directors of Dorothy Amos Day Care, a member of the Berkshire Business and Professional Women, and a member of the Head Start Advisory Committee. Mrs. Clapper was a Past Worthy Matron of Collina Chapter #69, Order of the Eastern Star, and a Past Deputy Grand Matron of the Grand Chapter of Order of the Eastern Star. Even with all of her accolades she found time to cultivate her love of gardening, reading, and traveling, visiting all the corners of the world, including a trip to Grand Canyon which she enjoyed, both by Hot Air Balloon and Donkey. She will be missed by her children, Kenneth A. Clapper, Patricia A. Presenti, Thomas E. Clapper and his wife Lyla-Jean, Jennifer L. Edwards and her husband Donald, Richard P. Clapper and his wife Peggy L. White, and Susan M. Bedard. She also leaves grandchildren: Dawn Sickell, Cari-Lee Duguay, Peter Clapper, Michael Clapper, Christina Presenti, Mark Presenti, Andrew Clapper and 6 great grand-children. The Clapper family, would like to thank the staff at Craneville Place of Dalton, unit 3, for taking exceptional care of Shirley. FUNERAL NOTICE- A memorial service with Eucharist for Mrs. Shirley P. Clapper will be held Saturday, March 8, 2014 at 11AM at St. Stephens Episcopal Church in Pittsfield, with a reception to follow. Donations in her memory may be made to St. Stephens Episcopal Church in care of the Rector's Discretionary Fund in care of the WELLINGTON FUNERAL HOME, 220 East. St., Pittsfield, MA 01201. Please visit www.wellingtonfuneralhome.com to leave condolences for the family.