GORMAN, Claire Mary (Labuski) Age 93, of Wellesley, passed away peacefully on January 12, 2023 leaving a legacy defined by her faith and family; and reflecting an inner strength that served her well through her many varied pursuits.
Claire was born on July 2, 1929, in Worcester to Francis and Helen (Early) Labuski and raised in Worcester with her three siblings Ruth, Eunice, and Frank; amongst a close-knit Bellingham Rd. community ever ready to provide support and encouragement.
She graduated from Emmanuel College in 1951 with a degree in Math and Meteorology and, after receiving “top secret” clearance, took a job with the NSA in Washington, DC. There she met her husband, Francis (Buddy), the love of her life and husband for 64 years. They were married in 1954 and started a family, moving from Hartford, CT to Framingham and ultimately settling in Wellesley where they lived for 29 years. During this time Claire raised five young children and volunteered at St Bridget’s and St John’s Parishes, Simpson Park Garden Club, the Wellesley PTO, and Girl and Boy Scout chapters.
As the children grew, Claire re-engineered her skills to include computer systems programing & development and re-entered the workforce at Sunlife of Canada. She quickly passed the 10 exams required to gain accreditation to the Fellow Life Management Institute (FLMI), ultimately served on the Board of its Massachusetts Chapter and taught classes to newly aspiring students seeking membership.
At the age of 50, she went back to school to get her MBA from Babson college. By this time, her first granddaughter (Becky) was there to cheer her on at graduation. In the final leg of her business career, she managed the newly created Systems Department at Tufts University.
In 1979 she and Buddy purchased the “Cape House,” starting a long family relationship with the Town of Chatham. Summers spent in Chatham represent her fondest memories as the house was always full of grandchildren, allowing her ample time to bond and create a special relationship with each of them.
Claire and Buddy split their retirement between homes in Bonita Springs, FL and Chatham. She loved Fairway Dunes and made many new friends there. But even in “retirement” she never slowed down. In addition to pursuing her passion for painting and sculpture, she was a founding Board Member and Treasurer for the Bonita Springs Center for the Arts, which grew from a rented room in an office building to a sprawling 5 building Visual Arts Campus and a 400 seat Performing Arts Auditorium. She served as President and Treasurer of the HOA, was an active member of St Leo’s Parish and volunteered time to teach English to migrant workers.
As Buddy’s health began to falter, she had to ease up on her Board commitments and refocused her efforts and skills yet again to become his primary caregiver.
Claire’s faith was her bedrock. Her extended family and friends, and especially time spent with Buddy, her 5 children, 12 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, was her biggest blessing and joy, for which she was truly grateful.
She was predeceased by her loving husband Francis (Buddy). She is survived by sons Francis and his wife Nancy of Brewster, Matt and his wife Karen of Sandwich, Richard of Shrewsbury; daughters Chris and her husband Sam McConnell of Wellesley and Mary Ann and her husband Jeff DeTroye of Kent Island,MD; grandchildren Becky and her husband Brian Voelkel, Michael and his wife Janet, Francis (Jake) and his wife Kaitlin, Anne Marie and her husband Conor Stevens, Alyse, Madeline, and Bridget Vellturo, Andrew and Samuel (Mac) McConnell, and Cole, Caitlin, and Craig; and ten great grandchildren Tierney, Matthew, and Eila Voelkel, Penelope, Jack, and Harry Gorman, Grace and Callie Gorman, and Kiara and Patrick Stevens.
Visiting hours will be held at the George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home, 477 Washington St., (Rt.16) Wellesley on Tuesday, Jan. 17 from 4-7pm. A Funeral Mass will be held in St. John the Evangelist Church, 9 Glen Rd., Wellesley Hills on Wednesday, Jan. 18 at 11am. Relatives and friends kindly invited.