Judy Clapp

Mary Judith (Judy) Johnson Clapp passed away peacefully in her sleep on September 2, 2024 with her faithful cat Mossi by her side.

Judy was a strong, independent woman, a loving mother and grandmother and a faithful and supportive friend to so many.

Judy was born on May 4, 1931 in Paducah, Kentucky (USA).

Her grandfather was a doctor who travelled by horse and buggy to visit patients and her father was a dentist. Both of her parents came from large families. Judy was an only child. Her mother tragically died when Judy was just 6 weeks old – possibly of appendicitis.

Despite the rough start in life, Judy always spoke fondly of growing up in Kentucky. She had many great memories of her father and her extended family of grandparents, aunts, uncles and numerous cousins. And although she left her hometown at age 19, she maintained many of her childhood friendships her entire life. Many visited her in Canada over the years and she even spoke to two of them, Oscar Beasely and Charlie Lackey, earlier this year.

Friends were always important to Judy - she made new ones wherever she lived and stayed connected to old ones as she (or they) moved around.

Judy moved quite a bit for school and lived in many different parts of the US before coming to Canada in 1970.

Judy first left Kentucky in 1949 to go to Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana. Sadly, her father died suddenly while Judy was in her first year of University. She then transferred to Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. And later moved to New York City where she graduated with a BSc. in Chemistry from Columbia University.

After graduating, a friend encouraged her to come to San Fransisco, California where she met her husband Bill Clapp and was married at Carmel by the Sea in California.

Bill and Judy had their first daughter Susan in Berkely California where they were living while Bill was studying Psychology. In 1962 they moved to Boulder, Colorado where Bill did his PHD in psychology. Here they had their second daughter, Alicia and son Ford.

While raising her children, Judy always involved herself in volunteer activities such as the League of Women Voters in Reno, Nevada.

Judy and her family moved to Canada in 1970 when Bill took a new job there.

Once the children were in school, Judy went back to school again and completed her Masters in Social Work at the University of Toronto.

Judy then had a series of interesting jobs with the Ontario Government.

She worked as the assistant to the Deputy Minister of Correctional Services and the Director of Probation and Parole. Her longest working position was with the Ministry of Native Affairs (1979-1987).

In 1985, Judy built a beautiful log house north of Huntsville on Oxtongue Lake near Algonquin Park.

She then transferred to a position at the Muskoka Centre for developmentally handicapped adults in Gravenhurst, Ontario so she could commute from Huntsville. She retired when the centre closed in 1993.

Oxtongue Lake and Huntsville were always a very happy place for Judy. She enjoyed the outdoor activities of canoeing, hiking and skiing. She had a large network of good friends and involved herself in just about every social event and fundraising opportunity in the community. This included bridge games, book clubs, Canoe Regattas and fund raisers for the Volunteer Firefighters and the local hospital.

Judy also volunteered her time extensively to help various local organizations. She was President of the Rate Payers Association at Oxtongue Lake, and President of Community Living Huntsville. She also supported the Dwight Library and delivered Meals on Wheels for the Muskoka Seniors.

In the words of her dear friend Joan Hayden, “This community is a better place because of Judy”.

Judy loved swimming and tennis which she did as a kid and continued to enjoy – tennis into her 80s and swimming into her 90’s. She also took up golf and even got a Hole-In-One playing at Deerhurst Golf Club!

A special thank you to the incredible caregivers from Helping Hands Healthcare who made sure Judy was comfortable and engaged in life until the end.

Judy is survived by her three children Susan Nolan (Danny), Alicia Clapp (Karl Scholz), Ford Clapp (Heather) and six grand children, Sarah Nolan, Emily Nolan, Christopher (Madison) Nolan, Marie Scholz (William Hoff), Carson Scholz and Spencer Clapp.

A Celebration of Life for Judy will take place in Huntsville at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please direct memorial donations to Muskoka Seniors or the CNIB.

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