Eleanor Williams Ladd

Of Cohasset, age 92, born on January 31, 1916, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on April 19, 2008. She was the beloved wife of Thomas Blake Williams until his death in October 2000 and William Ladd of Winchester, N.H. since December 2001. Eleanor "Claffy" attended The Winsor School and later Sweet Briar College. She led an active life, playing tennis and skiing well into her 90th year. In 1938, "Claffy" watched the German troops occupy St. Anton, Austria while training for the United States Women's ski team. Throughout her life, Claffy's interest in art included studying with George Dergalis of Lincoln and later at the Museum School of the Museum of Fine Arts. For many years Claffy worked as a gallery guide in the MFA where she developed an appreciation of Greek and Asian art. Her knowledge of these cultures greatly influenced the direction of her painting. Claffy won several awards in major shows, including fifteen one-person shows and more than thirty group exhibits in the Boston and New York area. An invitation in 1970 to show in the Grand Prix of Paris, and in the Museum of Modern Art in Tonneins, Bordeaux, reflected her international appeal. The use of nature as a subject of her paintings integrated a blend of exotic Eastern simplicity and Western abstraction. In the 1980's Claffy served as president of the Board of Directors of the South Shore Art Center in Cohasset. During her tenure she coordinated the campaign drive that financed the exquisite new gallery and teaching space for the Center, which opened in 1987. She leaves four children: Thomas B. Williams, Jr. and wife Mary of Warren, VT, Susan W. Dickie of Weston, MA, Eleanor W. Wright and husband Tim of Clark, CO, and Sandra W. Weiss and husband David of Arrowsic, ME. She also leaves eleven grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. A Funeral service will be private, for family members only. If you wish to give something in memory of Claffy, please make a donation to the South Shore Art Center, 119 Ripley Rd., Cohasset, MA 02025. Arrangements by the McNamara-Sparrell Funeral Home, COHASSET. For an online guestbook, please visit www.mcnamara-sparrell.com McNamara-Sparrell Funeral Homes Brighton - Cohasset - Norwell 781-383-0200