BLANDFORD – Elisabeth “Betty” S. (Clapp) Needham, 91, of Blandford, MA passed away peacefully Saturday, June 22, 2013 in Baystate Medical Center. As a cancer survivor, she battled Alzheimer’s for nearly 15 years but still knew who her children were up to the end. Born and raised in South Deerfield, MA, she is the daughter of George and Ella (Townsend) Clapp.She has the distinction of being the first woman to attend Deerfield Academy and graduated with honors from UMASS with degrees in Psychology and Foreign Language as well as being president of the Modern Dance Club. In addition to dancing, she was an accomplished pianist and artist who also taught oil painting classes over the years. Betty lived in Westfield many years as a wife, mother, homemaker, active member of the First Congregational Church where she also served as Correspondence Secretary, and mother hen to Cub Scout Pack 103. She was a life long traveler, visiting all National Parks in the lower 48 states with her husband of 64 years; they retired to Florida and as fans of all things family were frequent visitors to nearby Walt Disney World.
Betty is predeceased by her loving husband, William H. Needham II and a granddaughter, Jennifer Hanson. She is survived by three sons, William III of Blandford, John of North Granby, CT and David of Houston, TX and a daughter, Nancy L’Heritier of NYC plus four grandchildren, Jennifer, Jeffrey, Elisabeth and Blake Needham; she also leaves a brother, George “Chan” Clapp of Dover, DE.
Calling hours are Thursday, June 27, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Firtion-Adams Funeral Service, 76 Broad Street, Westfield followed by a memorial service at 8:00 p.m. Burial at Pine Hill Cemetery in Westfield will be private at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Park Foundation, 1201 Eye St. NW, Suite 550 B Washington DC 20005 or the Mass Alzheimer’s Association, 264 Cottage Street, Springfield MA 01104.
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