Finally solved the problem, figured I'd update problem in case someone has same issue.
What I noticed, is that the Amazon account (my daughters) that the Alexa was initially set up referencing, had a google mail account different than what I want to use. Even though that other email account was not listed on the calendar or contacts, it must have been somehow trying to connect to it.
I completedly reset Echo Plus with the paperclip. I deleted my Alexa app, and downloaded a new one. I set up a totally new Amazon account, using the email address that I use for calendar and contacts. I then went thru the initialization and setup process.
I did run into a snag, where my phone number was linked to the other amazon account and I had to call Amazon echo help desk to unlink it.....so that I could then link it to this new account. Everything is now working correctly, and I have access to calendar and contacts.