Claire Ann (Devlin) Donovan, 79, a longtime resident of Hingham, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Wednesday, November 13, 2013, at the Wingate at Silver Lake Nursing Home in Kingston. She was the loving wife of the late Edward M. Donovan, Jr.
Born in Brockton, MA, on December 13, 1933, Claire was the daughter of the late John F. Devlin and Mary Louise (Brady) Devlin of Abington, MA. She graduated from Abington High School in 1951, where she played basketball for four years. She also served as Class Treasurer and was a member of the cheerleading squad.
Following graduation, Claire attended Stonehill College where she met her future husband. In June, 1954, she boarded a plane bound for Kodiak, Alaska, where "Eddie" was stationed with the U.S. Navy, and the two were married on June 12th. While stationed in Kodiak, they welcomed the first two of their four children. A devoted mother and a dedicated homemaker for many years, Claire went to work for the Travelers Group in Boston as a receptionist in 1984. In 1995, she retired in order to spend the majority of her time focusing on her many grandchildren. She was a past member of the James Library Book Club and served as a volunteer at the Hingham Library. Claire loved spending time outdoors, particularly at the beach. She was a fixture at the many sporting and school events of her grandchildren, where she was affectionately known as "Nana" by all.
Claire is survived by her children, Susan M. Kelliher of Hingham; Edward M. Donovan and his wife Donna of Pembroke; Kathleen E. Donovan of North Kingstown, RI; and Julianna Healy and her husband William of Martha's Vineyard; as well as ten grandchildren and one great-grandson.
She is also survived by her sister, Mary Lou (Devlin) Conway of Orleans; her brother, Richard Devlin and his wife Denise of Kingston, NH; her sister-in-law, Carol Devlin of Hyannis; her brother-in-law, William Donovan and his wife Gail of Wallingford, CT; her brother-in-law, Richard Tobin of Centerville and many nieces and nephews. She was pre-deceased by her brothers, John and William.
Visiting hours at the Shepherd Funeral Home, 7 Mattakeesett Street, (Route 14), Pembroke, on Tuesday, November 19, 2013, from 5:00-8:00 PM.
Funeral services at the Shepherd Funeral Home, Pembroke, on Wednesday, November 20, 2013, at 10:00 AM, followed by her funeral Mass at Saint Thecla's Church, 145 Washington Street, (Route 53), Pembroke at 11:00 AM.
Services will conclude with the interment at the Massachusetts National Cemetery, 1 Bennington Boulevard, Bourne, at 1:30 PM.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Claire's name to the Alzheimer's Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090 or to the Epilepsy Foundation, www.epilepsyfoundation.org