Bernice Norwood Napper

BERNICE NORWOOD NAPPER, formerly of Riverside, CT, passed away on Friday, October 23, 2009 at the Green Tree Manor Nursing Home, Waterford, CT, where she resided for 8 years. She was born in Stratford, CT on December 10, 1916 to the late Rev. James Oscar Norwood and Rosa Braswell Norwood and was raised in South Norwalk, CT. She graduated from Norwalk High School in 1934 and from Howard University School of Music in Washington, D.C., in1938, where she majored in music and voice. After graduation, she lived in Riverside, where she performed vocal concerts throughout the state and Washington, D.C. She was very active in the local Republican Party as well as various local civil affairs. She was married to the late Alver W. Napper, Sr. She is survived by her daughter, Patricia Napper Knudsen of Copenhagen, Denmark; her son, Alver Woodward Napper, Jr. of Loudoville, NY; her youngest sister, Eleanora N. Clarke of Norwalk; her nieces, S. Vanderklief of Stamford; Lynda C. Stack of Bridgeport; and Leigh D. Clarke of Norwalk. She is also survived by her granddaughter, Louise Gonzolez-Knudsen; her grandson, Eric Knudsen; three great granddaughters and a great grandson. Calling hours will be held at the Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Myrtle Avenue, Stamford on Wednesday, October 28 from 9:30 11:00 AM with a service being held at 10:00 AM with the Rev. Sultan Stack of St. Paul's Baptist Church of Bridgeport officiating. Interment is private. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.cognetta.com.