Claire Carocci Obituary

"Claire Elizabeth Carocci, 75, of West Springfield, died peacefully September 15th, 2023, at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield after a recent cancer diagnosis. Her two daughters were by her side at the time of her passing. Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, the daughter of the late Samuel J. Carocci and Florence T. Carocci, Claire was a 1965 graduate of Fort Hamilton High School in Brooklyn and a 1998 graduate of Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, MA where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Studies. Protecting the environment and the world's natural resources was very important to Claire. She worked for many years in Personnel for Irving Trust Company on Wall Street in New York City and owned and operated her own business "Claire's Care" home health services from 2001 until she retired in 2013. Most recently, she worked as a greeter at the Rhode Island Building for the entirety of the Big E fair last Fall and enjoyed interacting with the visitors so much she was planning to return to that role this year. Claire was a longtime congregant of West Springfield United Methodist Church where she was chairperson for the Staff Parish Relations Committee and the church council. She was also an intricate part of the West Springfield Interfaith Parish Association. For the past four years she volunteered weekly at the Cancer House of Hope in West Springfield, always willing to help members, participating in art therapy classes with them and volunteering in their clubs and fundraising events. She was also a longtime participant in the Agawam/West Springfield CROP Hunger Walk where she continually raised funds for food for those less fortunate. Claire loved spending time with family and friends enjoying nature, camping, hiking, snorkeling, swimming, and dancing. She especially loved the beach and riding the big waves whenever she could. She was a beloved member of the Camp Wellville family where she camped with family every summer on Lake Winnekeag in Ashburnham since the late 1970s. She loved swimming the lake, kayaking and just sitting on the beach or at the campfire reminiscing about decades of summer memories there. Claire loved to travel, in recent years she took trips with friends to Greece, China and Portugal. Most recently she visited numerous state parks in Utah where she photographed beautiful, expansive mountain landscapes, admiring the wonder of it all. She spent many years in a writing group with her close friends, leaving an array of creative writings of her life and memories for family to treasure for years to come. Above all else, Claire's pride and joy were her two granddaughters Lucia and Emilia. Always attending their events, reading books, and playing games with them, especially the Barbie Game she had from her childhood. There was no greater blessing she acknowledged than being the girls' Grammie. Claire was generous, caring, and full of life. She had a natural way of connecting with people and loved her community and being an activist for social equality. Her spirit will live on for all those who loved her, those who were lucky enough to know her and those who benefitted from her ever-present passion to speak up for those who couldn't speak for themselves. She is survived by her two daughters, Christine D'Angelo of Franklin and her partner Craig Ferguson of Braintree and Dr. Shana Dangelo-Perrucci and her husband Stephen Perrucci of Newburyport, her two granddaughters Lucia Perrucci and Emilia Perrucci of Newburyport, her sister-in-law Frances Carocci, her niece Cheryl Carocci, her nephew John Carocci II and his wife Leslie Carocci, and her great-nephews Aaron White, Alex Parrish, Michael Carocci and Thomas Carocci all of Locust Grove, Georgia. She was pre-deceased by her brother John Carocci I and her niece Laura Carocci, both of Locust Grove. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, October 1st, 2023 at 1 p. m. at West Springfield United Methodist Church, 800 Amostown Rd. , West Springfield. A reception will follow in the fellowship hall. Please come share your stories and memories of Claire. All are welcome. Donations in her name may be made to the Cancer House of Hope, 1999 Westfield St. , West Springfield, MA 01089 www. chd. org/locations/cancer-house-of-hope or to KIVA, a charity close to Claire's heart, www. kiva. org. "