AUGUSTA – Clarice Casson Tapley, originally of Lewiston, passed away on April 1, 2021, at the age of 92 at the Glenridge Rehabilitation Center in Augusta. It’s no coincidence to those who knew her that Clarice passed away on April Fool’s Day and Red Sox opening day. She would never miss the opportunity to play an April Fool’s joke on her grandchildren and would watch all 162 Red Sox games – no matter what their record might be that year.Clarice was born on Feb. 12, 1929, the daughter of the late Beecher and Elmire (Therrien) Casson. Clarice, or “Tootsie” as she was called by family, was the second youngest child in a family of nine. Clarice’s stories about her and her siblings’ adventures and hijinks on the family farm were enjoyed by the whole family, especially the tales of the recording career of Tootsie, Honey, and Lois also known as “The Three Little Sisters”.Clarice was a graduate of Lewiston High School, class of 1947. Soon after graduation, she entered the workforce and continued to work throughout the years while raising her family. In 2003, Clarice retired from Hudson Bus Lines, where she had been the office manager for over 25 years. Clarice married David Tapley on Sept. 3, 1951, and enjoyed almost 60 years of marriage before he passed away in 2011. It was rare to see one without the other. Many of their days together would begin with Clarice asking Dave if he felt “spiffy” before heading out for their daily adventures. He would respond, a big grin on his face and anxious to go wherever their journey might take them, with “here we go, just another redhead in a hurry”. Clarice’s biggest joy was her family. Nothing meant more to her than spending time with Dave and her children on Sunday family outings on Allen Pond, watching her children grow and build their own lives, and doting on and spoiling her grandchildren. She loved them all fiercely and was proud of every one of them.Clarice was also an avid sports fan. Whether it was cheering on her children and later on her grandchildren in their different activities, watching Tom Brady win ring No. 6 with the Patriots and the Bruins win the Stanley Cup, or having play by play phone calls with Honey about the Red Sox, Clarice enjoyed it all. And she was very proud of the fact that she could still throw a perfect spiral football well into her 80s. Clarice is survived by her three children: Ronald Tapley and his wife Linda of Wesley; Alan Tapley and his wife Sarah of Lewiston; Barbara Kennedy and her husband Scott of Chelsea; her five grandchildren: Justin Pringle, Quintin Pringle, Veronica Pringle, Cole Tapley, and Chase Tapley; and one sister: Barbara (Honey) Bubier plus many nieces and nephews.She was predeceased by her husband, David; her two brothers, Beecher and Edgar; and five sisters, Lillian, Alberta, Lois, Althea and Alice.Clarice’s family would like to extend a special thank you to the caregivers at the Glenridge Rehabilitation Center for providing comforting and loving care to Clarice.You are invited to offer condolences and pay tribute to Clarice’s life by visiting her guest book at http://www.thefortingrouplewiston.com.Services are under the care of The Fortin Group, Lewiston, 70 Horton St., Lewiston, Maine – 207-784-4584.In lieu of Flowers, donations may be made in Clarice’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association (www.act.alz.org/donate)

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