Arthur Tappen Soper, 89

Arthur Tappen Soper, 89, of New Canaan, died Wednesday, Nov. 15 at his home. Born in Manhattan to Leslie Bliss Soper and Talia Fairchild Soper, he resided in Bronxville, N.Y., Kusnacht, Switzerland, and Lyme, Conn., before moving to New Canaan in 2018. Tappen attended Trinity School in Manhattan, was a member of Lawrenceville School’s class of 1952, and Princeton University’s class of 1956, where he was in the Air Force ROTC and a member of Cottage Club. After Princeton he was stationed in Bainbridge, Ga.

Robert ‘Bob’ Wayne Perkins, 87

Robert “Bob” Wayne Perkins, 87, of Portland, Oregon, and New Canaan, Connecticut, peacefully passed away at home on November 8th after a courageous battle with pulmonary fibrosis. His wife, Gail, of 64 years, was at his side. 

Bob and Gail moved to New Canaan from downtown Portland in October 2020 to be with their two sons, Tod and Cory, and their respective families. Making a home in New Canaan has been an exciting new chapter for them in their retirement years. They have been surrounded by the love and support of their close-knit family while embracing grandchildren’s activities, new friends, and a welcoming community. To the end, Bob drew strength from this support and maintained his marvelous, quick wit, inquisitive mind, and wonderful sense of humor that endeared him to everyone he met. 

Bob was born in the small rural town of Council, Idaho, on September 9, 1936.

Elizabeth Clancy Grady Kennard, 85

Elizabeth Clancy Grady Kennard, known as Betty, was born on February 1, 1938 in Savannah, Georgia to Mary Clancy Grady and Steve Edward Grady. She died, after a long illness, on All Saints Day, November 1, 2023 in New Canaan, Connecticut at the age of 85. A long-time resident of New Canaan since 1973, Betty never lost her Southern charm or accent. She was proud of her Southern heritage and Irish ancestry. From her early childhood, she excelled in ballet and became an accomplished classical ballet dancer while studying under Ebba Olesen Thomson.

Ruth Mattson Swanberg, 102

Ruth Mattson Swanberg, 102, peacefully passed away in her New Canaan home on October 22, 2023. She was born on September 24th, 1921, in Norwood, MA, graduated from Lasell Jr. College, and married her husband Ned during WWII, who passed away in 2015 after nearly 72 years of marriage. Ruth lived in CT for 74 years and deeply cherished her community. Her involvement was profound. Ruth was a longtime member of the Stamford-Norwalk Jr. League.

Patricia H. Greer, 85

Patricia H. Greer passed away peacefully with her family by her side on November 10, at the age of 85.  She was born in Stamford, CT on September 21, 1938 to her parents George L. and Alice R. Hickey and was predeceased by her loving husband of 57 years, George Greer III. Patricia, known to many as “Patty”, graduated from Sacred Heart Academy in Stamford, CT and went on to Rosemont College in PA where she earned a BA in English.  She was a member of the St. Joseph’s Hospital Ladies Auxiliary and a lifelong member of the Stamford Yacht Club.  She also volunteered for several organizations including the Girl Scouts of America, Our Lady Star of the Sea school and Sacred Heart Academy.  

Before having children, Patty was proud to be working for Bishop Fulton Sheen’s office in New York City.  Later in life Patty developed a keen interest in antiques and spent over 20 years in the business sharing her passion and professional knowledge with the New Canaan community beginning at the Severed Ties and ultimately at the Silk Purse. She was very involved in the community, but by far her greatest accomplishment was raising her 5 children while always providing a loving home. 

Patty is survived by her loving children two sons George Edward and his wife Paula, William Patrick and his wife Candace, three daughters Margaret Alice and her husband Peter, Mary Sheila and Robert Kirk, Maureen Patricia and her husband Santi, one sister, Carol Otterbein and her husband Harry E. Otterbein, seven grandchildren who knew her as “Nana” and eleven nieces and nephews.  She was predeceased by her sister, Helen “Twinkey” Craemer and her nephew David Otterbein. The family would like to offer sincerest thanks to the entire staff at Waveny Care Center and Visiting Nurse and Hospice of Fairfield County for their amazing care, dedication and compassion over the last two years.