Lois Ann (Carlotto) Vancleef, 86, of Ashley Falls, MA died peacefully at home on July 14th, 2024.
Born on August 30, 1937 to Arthur J and Mary (Moore) Carlotto, she was a graduate of Searles High School. She held many jobs over the years, including roles at Wheeler & Taylor Insurance and Attorney Harry Conklin.
After moving to Ashely Falls in 1989, she opened her home-based art gallery, Casa Mia Studio. She had a passion for art and teaching and was able to achieve her dreams with her studio. She created masterpieces in watercolor and pastel that hang in the homes of family, friends, and art lovers. Throughout the years, she taught many students how to unleash their own creative style and find the same joy she found in art. She was a former member of the Sheffield Art League and Housatonic Valley Art League and won many awards for her works.
She was a passionate Red Sox fan and never missed a game, making sure to arrange her busy social schedule around important ones. Her family joked that you could hear her yelling a mile away if the Sox weren’t playing well.
An avid lifelong reader, she loved mystery and thrillers in all forms and played Scrabble daily. She loved to travel, especially to Italy and Maine, which inspired many of her paintings. She adored all animals, including the deer and birds who visited her home, but especially her cats over the years: Daisy Mae, Cinders, Ashes, and Misty.
Lois is survived by her daughter Michele Palmer and son-in-law Brian of Sheffield, her son Patrick McGuire and his partner Angie of Housatonic, her brother Stephen Carlotto of Otis, her granddaughter Alyss Palmer and her fiance Drew of Revere, grandson Justin Palmer of Great Barrington, stepdaughter Linda Brinker and her partner Will of Great Barrington, and many step-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
She is predeceased by her husband Langland Vancleef, stepson Michael McGuire, brothers Arthur and Richard Carlotto, and her parents.
Per her wishes, there will be no services. A celebration of life will take place at a later date. Memorial contributions can be made to Hospice Care of the Berkshires c/o Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home, 426 Main St., Great Barrington, MA 01230.To send remembrances to her family go to www.finnertyandstevens.com
