Clapp, Martha
Aug 16, 1940 - Apr 26, 2020
Martha (Marti) Clapp was an awesome woman, her many, many friends would attest to that.
Wife, Mother and beloved Nana, Marti was born August 16, 1940 and passed away on April 26th, 2020. She was a very welcoming person and made meaningful friendships at every stop along the way in her life.
Marti's life took her to many places and on many journeys. She was born in Hightstown, NJ, and spent time in Wisconsin and Kalamazoo, MI as a child.
Marti first attended Rockford College and later obtained her Master's Degree in Library Science at Western Michigan University. She had a love for reading all kinds of books which suited her well as a librarian. She was the head librarian at the Kaukauna, WI Public Library, worked at the Public Library in Comstock, MI and at the Kalamazoo College Library.
In 1966 Marti married Richard (Dick) Clapp and they moved to Kaukauna, WI, while he attended the Institute of Paper Chemistry in Appleton. In Appleton, their first child, Geoff was born. Marti and Dick then moved to Wausau, WI in 1972 and had two additional children, Ben and Beth.
Marti was very active in her church life all along the way. She served and volunteered at Presbyterian Churches in Wausau, WI, Richland, MI, St Charles, IL, the UCC in Park Falls, WI, and finally at First Presbyterian Church in Sarasota.
Her love of service to the community led her to serve as President of the Board for the Jack and Jill Preschool in Wausau, she began doing arthritis water aerobic exercise and was certified and taught these classes for many years, she volunteered at the Park Falls High School, she also donated more than 15 gallons of blood over the years.
Following Wausau, they returned to their hometown of Kalamazoo, MI where Marti renewed her lifelong interest in tennis - mostly as a spectator. Then the family moved to Park Falls, WI in 1989. There she made a strong group of friends. She loved Friday night fish frys, pontoon boat rides on Schnur's Lake with a Black Russian in hand, and being active in her children's lives such that many of their friends called her Mom.
In 1996 life took the family to St. Charles, IL at her church she developed a deep interest in the Prayer Shawl Ministry. This continued even after they moved to Sarasota in 2001 where she started and led the Prayer Shawl Ministry at FPC Sarasota that contributed over 600 shawls. She was a long-time member of the Presbyterian Women organization, and was awarded the Honorary Life Membership award for her service. Throughout her life she was also involved in many book clubs. She cherished the friendships she made in these groups.
Through all of this Marti enjoyed so many visits from friends and family always welcoming them to her home with open arms. No visit was ever long enough. She loved going to beaches, whether it was Siesta Key, the Jersey Shore or Lake Michigan. While living in Sarasota, trips north were an important annual event. Traveling to see her children, grandchildren and extended friends and family were the highlights of her years. She loved babies, never wanted to give up holding one of her grandchildren as babies and thoroughly enjoyed reading to them. It was a true joy for her to hear them call her "Nana".
Preceded in death by her parents, Stuart and Dorothy Simpson of Sarasota, FL. Survived by her loving husband of 53 years, Richard, children Geoffrey (Stephanie) of Sheboygan, WI, Benjamin (Deana) of Minneapolis, MN, Bethany (Anthony) Graceffa, of Park Falls, WI; Grandchildren Wyatt and Harrison Graceffa, Carlos and Margaret Clapp; Sisters Dorothy (Richard) Ledesma, of Scotch Plains, NJ and Barbara (Clayton) Sibbett, of Star, ID. She was cherished by many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
Memorial service information will follow at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the First Presbyterian Church and Save Our Y of Sarasota, FL.
Arrangements are under the direction of Gendron Funeral & Cremation Services Inc. located at 135 N Lime Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34237. 941-365-1767 www.gendronfuneralhome.com