Wilma always said she was the luckiest lady alive as she had the best of two possible worlds. Growing up in Millburn/Short Hills, New Jersey, she received degrees from Bates College, Lewiston Maine and Rutgers University with additional graduate study at Georgetown University on a NDEA grant, Trinity College, and the University of Hartford. She was honored to be listed in Outstanding Young Women in America, and election to Bates Key and Kappa Delta Pi national honor society. Wilma was a management trainee at Connecticut General Life Ins Co and, taught numerous levels and subjects at the middle school and senior high school level in Hartford CT and Montclair NJ.
In spring 1967 Wilma drove to Ottawa, ON to take summer courses at Ottawa University and started a new life. Marriage to T. Peter Clapham and an offer of a senior History/English position with the Western Quebec School Board sounded more attractive than a position offered in Ontario. Thus started a satisfying teaching career which included History/English/ and Economics and ended only when Wilma was appointed to an administrative position at Philemon Wright Regional High School.
Despite the turbulent years for English schools Wilma loved the challenges that were presented. In her teaching days she ran model United Nations Clubs and General Assemblies and took groups to the United Nations in NYC; helped with model Canadian Parliaments; chaired the School Council among other activities. She also took courses at Carleton University, University of Ottawa, Alliance Francais, and the extension branch of McGill University. She was famous for insisting on essay answers on exams when the province wanted multiple choice for exams and for requiring senior history students to do a term paper “without copying” from sources. CEGEP teachers and her students thanked her!
Wilma’s life was dedicated to helping students succeed in advanced education. Besides teaching she became active in the American Association of University Women in Hartford and the College Club of the Oranges (A.A.U.W.) in New Jersey. On arriving in Ottawa, Wilma joined the Canadian Federation of University Women-Ottawa and, after retirement and Peter’s death, served in many volunteer capacities including Board positions. Wilma served as President of CFUW-Ottawa between 2010-2012. In 2012 she was asked by the President of the Canadian Federation of University Women to serve on one of the Standing Committees and was asked to chair the Committee from 2014-20.
Music and sports were also very important in her life. Many happy hours were spent on the ski slopes, golfing near their cottage on Lake Pemichangan or near their condo in Naples Fl,
hiking in the Gatineau Hills, attending concerts at the NAC or plays at the Little Theater or traveling in the US. Europe and Mediterranean.
Friends and family were always very important to Wilma. In addition to her husband Peter, she was predeceased by her parents William B. Gero and Vera Safford Gero, sister, Gail Janet Gero, many cousins including Marguerite Giroux Eckman Waddington, NY. Wilma will be remembered with love by her step daughter Susan Clapham Ashworth (Paul), and their family. Jennifer Ashworth Gillissie and Valerie Ashworth Dimitroff and their families. Douglas Alan Campbell (Billerica MA) and his family played a special role in Wilma’s life and will remember her with love.
Special thanks to the kind and caring staff of the Edinburgh who cared for Wilma during her time. Cremation has taken place. A private interment will be taking place at Beechwood Cemetery (280 Beechwood Ave. Ottawa, ON).
Donation’s in Wilma’s memory are to be made to a charity of choice.
Livre de visiteurs
Judy Kent Patkin
Paul Brenton
Oh Captain, my Captain.
Wilma Clapham was my History teacher at Philemon Wright High School 1974-78. I can attest to Mrs. Clapham's commitments to her students. In the fall of '76 she came upon a Grade 10 student who was lost... easily distracted, low motivation / self esteem, and struggling to pass. She asked a simple question: "What interests you?" The aimless response: "... maybe marine biology." had been prompted by the previous summer's blockbuster "JAWS". A few weeks later, Mrs. Clapham discreetly handed me an envelope with a prospectus on University of Florida's "marine biology" program. The next year was Mrs. Clapham's "American History"... assassination papers, civil rights and her Model United Nations took us to NYC a year following Son of Sam and the urban decay of Times Square. Mrs. Clapham connected with her students, ensuring that we went to Beatlemania on Broadway. Then graduation.
Mrs. Clapham's student never did become a "marine biologist" but did undergrad, law school and a mid-career MBA and a career that took him to Bay Street, Wall Street and State Street.
Upon returning to Ottawa, that student organized Philemon Wright's HS 50th Reunion, and re-connected with Mrs. Clapham. More than forty years removed from our student/teacher relationship, my message was a simple one "Thank you... your dedication to your students changed lives."
Rest easy Mrs. Clapham.
Jon Picard
Ms. Clapham was one of those teachers that inspired me to get the very most out of my high school experience. Not only was she an exceptional teacher, but my time spent in the UN club was a time I will never forget. The students of PWRHS are far better off having had the pleasure of experiencing the guidance of Ms. Clapham.
xo
Forbes Rutherford
She was instrumental for my love history. Remember her fondly.
Dave Goodwin
I remember Mrs Clapham well and with great respect. She was my teacher for only one course: Economics in Grade 9. I recall with great clarity some of the economic principles she taught. They help inform my understanding of contemporary events, fifty years later. Her leadership in the creating and running the Model United Nations was outstanding. Mrs Clapham was an excellent teacher, and among the most memorable of my high school years. I feel lucky to have known her. She made an impact. She was demanding, a little intimidating and an excellent leader.
I'll always remember the Bates class of '57 reunion trip Wilma planned during tulip season in Ottawa. There was so much to see and due while we met with our classmates. And the tulips were spectacular.