Joyce A. (Ward) Clamp

Hampton, NH – Joyce Ann (Ward) Clamp, 89, formerly of Hampton NH, died Thursday, September 24, 2020 at Genesis Healthcare Exeter Center in Exeter, NH after a period of declining health.

She was born on May 15, 1931 in Brooklyn, NY and immediately adopted by Lester V. and Lottie M. (Whitney) Ward of Methuen, MA.  She attended school in Methuen, graduating from Edward F. Searles High School in1949, where she was a member of the Glee Club and head majorette with the marching band.  Joyce played piano and had a lovely singing voice.  While in high school, she successfully auditioned for Fred Waring’s singers and placed first on the Ted Mack Radio Hour.  Though she was encouraged by her music teachers to pursue a professional singing career, Joyce chose to attend Burdett College in Boston, MA. After earning her secretarial certificate, she spent a year in Washington D.C. working for the CIA.  She also held positions as a radio station assistant, day care attendant, clerk, IRS keypunch operator, and as temporary office staff.  In later years she worked at Wheelabrator Frye, Inc. in Hampton, NH.

On November 22, 1953, Joyce married Melvin Clamp, also of Methuen, MA.  They lived at 33 Beech Ave. in North Andover, MA where they raised three children.  In the summer of 1972, they left North Andover to reside in Hampton, NH after renovating the summer home they had owned there since 1955.

Joyce was a member of the Lady Lions in North Andover and a Bluebirds (Campfire Girls) troop leader.  She sang in the choir at St. Michael’s Church and with local choral groups.  Her joys in life were being a mother and grandmother, dining out, music, and her beloved pets.  She was a treasured long-term resident at the Exeter Center where she was known for being an avid colorist and bird watcher, having a great sense of humor, and for always knowing all the lyrics at the singalongs.

Joyce was predeceased by her husband of sixty years, Melvin Clamp, and cousin Whitney Hager of Methuen, MA and Florida.  She is survived by two daughters, Paula Stevens of Wilder, VT, and Lisa Godfrey of Lee, NH; a son, Jeffrey Clamp of Fort Lauderdale, FL; an aunt, Balwina “Bee” Ward, and cousin Patricia Gosselin, both of Methuen, MA, and cousin “Stevie” Ward of Haverhill, MA; three grandchildren, Irina Price (Jaymie) of Winchester, VA, Piotr Skowronski of Vermont and Japan, and Gregory Godfrey (Brittney Pastre) of Barrington, NH; and four great grandchildren, Eliza Price, Andrew Price, Isabella Godfrey, and Ivy Godfrey.

At their request, Joyce and Mel’s ’s ashes will be scattered off the New Hampshire coastline that they loved so much. Arrangements are by Direct Cremation of the Seacoast, Hampton.