Lynda Clapp La Mantia, beloved daughter and sister, Mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, died at the age of 70 late Friday afternoon, February 7, 2020. Born with spina bifida, missing hip-sockets on both legs, her doctors, performing several surgeries before she was three years old, said that she would never walk or live past the age of 12. Lynda found a way. Her surgeon cried when her Mother brought her to him, age three and walking on her own. Lynda always knew what she wanted and accepted no obstacles in her path. She worked in banks and labs from the age of 18, married the boy she loved, and became pregnant, over the strong objections of her gynecologist, carrying her child full-term and giving birth to a beautiful daughter.
Lynda had an unconquerable spirit and an out-sized personality which engendered admiration,, loyalty, and love among many who knew her well. She gave the same in return to them. Despite loss of one leg, twice having breast cancer, both hips becoming dislocated from the ligaments that had held them in place, and repeated hospitalizations for infections, Lynda never complained about her fate and always greeted family members and friends with a smile. Hospice (Compassus) carried her in comfort through her final illness and death.
She is survived by her Mother Katherine Clapp Giddens; her brother David Clapp; step siblings: Margaret, William, Virginia, Edward, John; her daughter Michelle Sweeney; grandchildren: Chris, Nicole, Courtney, Brandon; and five great grandchildren. There will be a private family graveside service in Trussville’s Jefferson Memorial Gardens on Thursday. The First Presbyterian Church of Trussville, where her Mother was an elder, will provide a lunch for family members after the service.
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