Clare Jordan Spanks, a lifelong resident of Lawrence, MA, died on January 19, 2016. She was the daughter of the late James and Helen (Ryan) Jordan and the beloved wife of the late John J. Spanks, a former Lawrence Police Officer. She was predeceased by her siblings, James, Loyola and Eileen Jordan as well as Dorothea LaPlante and Vera Moriarty.
Clare attended the Hood School as well as Lawrence High School and was a graduate of Burdett Business School. During her life she was employed as a secretary in Gaunt’s Mill, Textile Anniline Dye Company, Tewksbury State Hospital and the Social Services Department in Lawrence. She was also secretary to the principal at the Bruce School until her retirement. It was at this job that her love of children was shown through her personal awareness of the children who needed that extra kindness when they found themselves in the office. Clare also realized that education only occurs when children are not hungry. She, Marie Pekarski and Kay O’Connor often saw to it that those who needed it got that extra milk or sandwich. During World War II, Clare was an Air Raid Warden. She was a former member of St. Lawrence’s Parish and later attended Mass at St. Patrick’s and St. Monica’s. Clare had belonged to the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the St. Clare League and the Holy Family Women’s Auxiliary. She also volunteered at Bread and Roses. Clare enjoyed traveling with friends and family. She visited England, Ireland, Scotland, Switzerland, Vienna, Italy, Germany, and Canada. Chair caning, knitting and needlepoint were among her many skills.
Clare is survived by her son John J. Spanks and her daughter Ellen T. (Spanks) Finneran as well as several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, January 23, 2016 at 11:00 A.M. in St. Monica’s Church, 212 Lawrence St., Methuen, MA. Burial will follow in the Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Lawrence, MA. Relatives and friends are invited to call on Friday, January 22, 2016 from 4 to 8 P.M. at the John Breen Memorial Funeral Home, Inc., 122 Amesbury St., Lawrence, MA. Memorial contributions may be made in Clare’s name to either the Home for Little Wanderers Development Department, 10 Guest St. Boston, MA, 02135, or to Bread & Roses, 58 Newbury St. Lawrence, MA, 01840. To send an online condolence or for more information, please go to www.breenfuneralhome.com.