Louise R. (Clark) Stapleton

Louise R. Stapleton of Holyoke, MA, and Naples, FL, peacefully passed away on Sunday, surrounded by family. Louise was born on July 27, 1931, in Tarrytown, NY, daughter of the late Edward and Marcella (Andre) Clark. She graduated from Holyoke High School and was married to Judge James J. Stapleton. Louise enjoyed time in national politics as well as the many years in private life teaching CCD classes to children. When Jim and Louise lived in Heidelberg, Germany, in the 1950s while Jim was in the service, Louise began sharing the Catholic faith by teaching CCD classes to the children of military families. In the 1960’s, Louise was recruited by Ted Kennedy to first work on his senatorial campaign and after the election to serve as his receptionist in the Washington office. In 1968, at Ted Kennedy’s request, she joined other Kennedy campaign friends Ted Sorenson, Ken O’Donnell, Larry O’Brien, and Kennedy brother-in-law Steve Smith in setting up Robert Kennedy’s presidential campaign to serve as director and organizer of volunteers in his Washington, D.C., national headquarters. Later, when Jim and Louise lived in Bowie, MD, she resumed her passion for teaching CCD classes, this time in their home, where she would work four years with the same group of children until they reached Confirmation. Over the years, Louise cherished time spent with Jim in Naples, where they enjoyed their home and group of friends–many from the Bowie and Holyoke area. The family would like to thank the dedicated caregivers who were such a comfort during Louise’s last years of life. She is survived by her husband James Stapleton, her sister Deborah McLaughlin, her brother Christopher Clark, and several nieces, nephews, and grand nieces and grand nephews. She was predeceased by her sisters Dolores Dowd Dean, Cynthia Rowell, and her brother Edward Clark. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held for Louise on Friday, October 27th at 10:30 am at Our Lady of the Cross Parish Church, Holy Cross Avenue, Holyoke; please meet directly at the church. Burial will follow in Saint Jerome Cemetery, Holyoke. At the family’s request, calling hours at the Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Louise’s memory to Jericho Bureau for Exceptional Children and Adults, PO Box 1039, Holyoke, MA, 01040, to ContinueMission.org, or to a charity of one’s choice.

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