Clare McWilliams Lyne, 91, of Wellesley passed away peacefully on August 28, 2021.
Clare was born on Bastille Day in 1930. Her parents were Mary Rose McWilliams and George Arthur McWilliams. She grew up in Newton and attended the Newton Country Day School of the Sacred Heart. She graduated from Radcliffe College in 1952, majoring in English. She worked at Little Brown and married her lifetime love, Kerry R. Lyne, in 1956. They happily became the parents of four children.
Through the 1960’s, she and Kerry supported the ICA, the Boston Council for International Visitors, and the Consular Corps. They were dedicated supporters of the Pine Street Inn and St. John’s Parish. They participated in the startup of the METCO program in Wellesley. Clare served as the president of the Wellesley Friendly Aid Society and delivered many Meals on Wheels. Clare and Kerry prized education. They were devoted parents and volunteered countless hours for educational causes.
Throughout her life, Clare loved spending time on Penobscot Bay. She was an avid reader with a special love of fiction and poetry. Shared books were always in circulation at 131 Glen Road and later at 111 Great Plain Avenue.
Clare will be especially remembered for her kindness and hospitality. “Mrs. Lyne” welcomed a crowd of visitors of all ages and personalities (a multitude!) over the years. Family, friends, teachers, coaches, the kids' mischievous classmates, assorted animals in need, and various neighbors all were greeted with the warmest smile, a home cooked meal, and brightest green eyes in town. She enjoyed sharing, loved company, and welcomed everyone. She was delighted by her 14 grandchildren and enthusiastically attended performances and athletic events. She was the devoted fan of many high school and college athletes and their teams, as well as the Red Sox and the Celtics.
She leaves her daughter Molly and husband Tim Hawkridge of Needham, sons Emmett and wife Margaret of Wellesley, Tim and wife Tara of Beverly Farms, and Kerry and wife Gina of Los Angeles, as well as 14 beloved grandchildren: Rosie, Joe, Emily, Jake, Lee, Colin, Austin, Tatiana, Ciara, Kerry, Holly, Julia, Emmett, and Stella, plus many nieces and nephews, and a great granddaughter, Ellie. Clare had a magic gift as a mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother.
Clare was predeceased by her dear sisters Dr. Nancy McWilliams of Castine, ME, and Mary Rose Busby and her husband Jack K. Busby of Pinehurst, NC, as well as her beloved Lyne Family in-laws. She was the last of an amazing generation.
Clare was saddened to lose her beloved husband, Kerry, thirty years ago, but they will be reunited at the Holyhood Cemetery to celebrate in the sweet hereafter. The power of their marriage endures.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to the Kerry Lyne House at the Pine Street Inn. Checks may be sent to: Pine Street Inn; Attn: Shelli Hezekiah/Development Office;444 Harrison Avenue; Boston, MA 02118. The website is www.Pinestreetinn.org. Please note the gift is for Kerry Lyne House and in memory of Clare Lyne. There will be a Funeral Mass for Clare at 11:00 a.m. on Friday September 3, 2021 at St. John the Evangelist Church, 9 Glen Rd in Wellesley.