NATICK: Karen (Clapp) Hegarty, age 70, passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends on Sunday, September 13, 2015, at her Natick home. She is survived by her husband of 46 years, Paul E. Hegarty; her daughter, Kim Hegarty Waters and husband Jack; and her grandson, Kyle Hegarty, all of Natick; two sisters, Deborah Clapp of NY, NY, Meredith Clapp of Amherst, and Timothy Clapp and his wife Jean of Dover; and many loving relatives and friends.
Karen Clapp was born to Kenneth and Barbara (Carens) Clapp in Coronado, CA, where her father was stationed as a naval officer during World War II. After the war they returned to the Boston area. Karen graduated from Wellesley High School in 1963 and Lasell College in 1965.
She met the love of her life, Paul E. Hegarty, in 1962 when they were working together at Brigham’s in Wellesley Hills. They were married in 1968. They honeymooned in Maui, and continued their life long love affair entertaining a vast variety of dear friends and family. Karen and Paul were known for their gracious hospitality and wicked senses of humor. Their door was always open and all were welcome.
Karen loved working with people and enjoyed careers first at United Airlines and, after taking time off to raise her daughter Kim, at State Street Global Advisors. She made many friends and helped many colleagues over the years. She stayed in close touch with people that she had worked with more than 50 years ago. Karen had a huge capacity for life, love and friendship, and she touched so many lives with her unique combination of wit, sincerity and generosity of spirit. Her strength of character and fierce loyalty and devotion will be remembered by everyone. All of her friends and family are better people for knowing her.
Her funeral will be from the John Everett & Sons Funeral Home, 4 Park Street at Natick Common on Saturday, Sept. 19th at 10:00AM with a Mass of Christian Burial in Saint Patrick’s Church, 44 East Central Street, Natick, at 11:00AM. Burial will follow in Saint Patrick Cemetery. Visiting hours will be Friday 4 – 7PM. Donations in Karen’s memory may be made to Good Shepherd Community Care, Development Office, 90 Wells Ave, Newton, MA 02459. (https://www.gscommunitycare.org/onlinedonations_pop.asp).