Alice M. (McHugh) Clapp

Alice Marie (McHugh) Clapp, 97, of Shelton, CT, formerly of Greenfield, MA and Conway, NH passed away on May 28, 2023 with her loving family by her side.  
Alice was born in Corning, NY on November 26, 1925 to Vincent and Esther (Miller) McHugh.  Alice graduated from Oneida High School in 1943 in Oneida, NY.  She married Richard Clapp in 1950 in Greenfield, MA with whom she raised six children.
Alice is survived by her six children, Maureen Larabee of Westfield, MA, Cheryl Clapp of Wolfeboro, NH, Curtis Clapp and his wife Emely of Greenfield, MA, Richard Clapp and his wife Becky of Annapolis, MD, Allan Clapp and his wife Susan of Shelton, CT, and Allyson Brown and her husband Glenn of Greenfield, MA. She is also survived by twelve grandchildren and four great-grandchildren whom she loved dearly. She was predeceased by her younger brothers and sisters, Esther (McHugh) Hanna, Vincent McHugh, Mary Lou (McHugh) Freund, Richard (Dick) McHugh and Robert McHugh.
Prior to her marriage, Alice worked as a secretary for the Personal Finance Company in Greenfield.  After 18 years as a stay-at-home mother, she obtained work as a secretary for the Greenfield Chief of Police, the Northfield Mount Herman School, and the President of the Education Department at Greenfield Community College.  She also lived briefly in Augusta, ME where she worked for the State of Maine.
She was a loving and devoted mother to her children. Alice was very involved in her children’s schooling, activities, and sports.  She was a member of the PTA and a room mother.  Alice could always be found cheering on her kids at dance classes, football games, music lessons, and other numerous activities.  
Alice was a talented ballroom dancer.  She enjoyed competing in local ballroom dance competitions. She taught dancing at Greenfield Community College. When she moved to New Hampshire she continued to host ballroom dance classes well into her eighties at her Congregational Church and at The Gibson Senior Center in Conway, NH. 
Throughout her life, Alice was an accomplished baker.  She often gave her baked goods to friends and family for special occasions and sometimes just to show her love. One activity she enjoyed was her church’s apple crisp fundraiser.  She volunteered to help and even led the effort to bake the apple crisp, hundreds of trays, to be sold at the annual Fryeburg Fair in Maine.
Knitting was her favorite past time.  She was a self-taught and prolific knitter.  She was so exceptional that she continued to knit even when her eyesight became poor.  Of the many pieces she gifted to her family and friends, her beautifully intricate afghans and personalized Christmas stockings for her children and grandchildren are the most treasured. 
Alice’s faith in God was her foundation.  She did not hesitate to share her faith with family and friends and was especially gifted at showing love and affection to those less fortunate. Through life’s ups and downs, Alice always maintained a positive outlook with focus on the Lord, often saying “It’s not my will but Thine will” (based on Luke 22:42). 
All are welcome for visitation Saturday 6/3 between 9:00 and 10:00 am at Kostanski Funeral Home, 220 Federal Street, Greenfield, MA. A service to celebrate Alice’s life will begin at 10:00 am.  Burial will follow at Green River Cemetery in Greenfield. In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made in Alice’s memory to The Gibson Center for Senior Services, PO Box 655, North Conway, NH 03860 or online @ Memorials and Tributes - Gibson Center for Senior Services, website: https://www.gibsoncenter.org/product/memorials-and-tributes/
For condolences, please visit www.kostanskifuneralhome.com. 
 

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