WESTFIELD- Carolyn S. Clarke, age 72, died Tuesday January 13, 2015 in Chatham, MA. Born in Westfield, MA, she was the daughter of the late Norman A. and Gladys S. Clarke and the sister of the late Susan Clarke Robinson. She graduated from the MacDuffie School in Springfield and Lasell Junior College in Boston. Carolyn went on to work in the offices of Dr. Collins and Dr. Steele-Perkins in Westfield, MA, and was employed by the Flower Shop in downtown Westfield where she honed and perfected her floral talents. She then moved to Chatham, MA permanently in 1975 after summering on the Cape throughout her life and began a long career in the local retail market, becoming the owner-operator of Samantha’s on Main Street in Chatham for over 20 years. Carolyn had a gift for decorating and creating a warm and welcoming home. She was a caring and loving aunt who early on became a surrogate mother and grandmother to her sister’s children and whom they all adored, fondly referred to as K by her nephews and niece and Tantie by her great nephews and nieces. Carolyn was a spitfire and fought through a myriad of health problems throughout her life without complaint to be the pillar of strength for her family who will miss her dearly but will value their lifelong memories of Chatham fun. Carolyn leaves to treasure her incredible spirit her nephew Douglas Clarke Robinson (Charity, Jack) of Denver, CO, her niece Ann Robinson Callahan (Jack, Susie) of Westfield, MA and her nephew William Shepard Robinson (Kathy, Clarke, Audrey, John) of Hingham, MA. She also leaves her lifelong friends Michele and Amy and her tight group of Chatham ladies Pam, Marcia, Joan and Sandy who were like family to her and loyal to the end. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to your local animal shelter or to warriorcanineconnection.org to honor Carolyn’s love of dogs. Visiting hours will take place on Saturday January 17, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at Nickerson Funeral Home, 87 Crowell Road, Chatham, MA followed by a funeral service at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. For online condolences, please visit www.nickersonfunerals.com
