Jacqueline (Jackie) Clapp died peacefully on March 25, with family and friends around her. She was 86.
Jackie had been residing on Martha’s Vineyard with her daughter Leslie since 2010. She was born in Portland, Me., a Christmas baby, on Dec. 25, 1927, to parents Arthur and Mildred (Jenks) Roberge. Her family moved to Worcester when she was very young. She graduated from South High School and Salter Secretarial School. She spent several years living and working as a secretary to the Navy Department in Washington, D.C., — an exciting time in her life which she fondly remembered. Jackie was married to Mark L. Clapp of Holden in 1953. There they settled and raised four children. In later years she worked for the Holden Municipal Light Department and when she finally retired at the age of 73, her greatest pleasure was to travel to her favorite places: Montana, Vermont and Martha’s Vineyard to spend time with her children and grandchildren.
In the past several years, her most cherished memories were of Clapp family reunions when everyone would gather, usually on the Vineyard, for a week or so of fun, relaxation and family revelry.
Jackie is survived by her four children, 10 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and many friends — old and new. Her daughter Leslie and husband Paul Bagnall, with whom she lived on Martha’s Vineyard, their children Lauren, Paul, twins Matthew and James, Jenna and her husband Jake Reilly and great-granddaughter Lucy Mae; her daughter Lee and husband Greg Grove of Eureka, Mont., their children Jacob and Mikayla; her son David, his wife Nina of Holden, their children David Jr., John and his wife Audrey, and great-grandson Johnny; her son Dana, his wife Jen of Wolcott Vt., and their son Benjamin. She was predeceased by her beloved brother Col. (Ret) Ronald A. Roberge, U.S. Army.
Jackie was devoted to her family, her community and her church, the First Congregational Church of Holden, where she had been married and was a lifelong parishioner and longtime member of the choir. She had many friends there, with whom she was in regular contact. She looked forward to visiting them again.
Family and friends are invited to join in a memorial service and celebration of her life on Saturday, April 26, at 2:30 p.m. at the First Congregational Church, 1180 Main street, in Holden. A reception will follow. In addition, Jackie’s great desire in recent months was to contribute to the restoration of the historic pipe organ at the church. According to her wishes and in lieu of flowers, please make donations in her memory to the Organ Restoration Committee at the First Congregational Church of Holden.
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