Methuen, MA- Margaret “Claire” (Downes) Abbott, 90, died Monday, July 20, 2009 at her home, surrounded by those she loved.
Claire was born January 20,1919 in Lawrence, MA. She was the daughter of John J. Downes and Margaret J. (Mulcahy) Downes. She graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Lawrence. Claire met her husband Charles Arthur Abbott at Morin’s Restaurant on Essex St. in Lawrence.
Claire was a homemaker who loved and cared for her family her entire life. She was an avid Red Sox fan, and also enjoyed reading, writing poetry, solving crossword puzzles, and creating unique afghans for her family.
The widow of the late Charles Arthur Abbott, Claire is survived by her children, Charles and his wife Donna Abbott, Susan Rousseau, Carol Felides, Diane Vaccari and her husband Richard, Joan Calder and her husband Douglas, and her great-grandson Joey Laboy. She is also survived by her grandchildren Charles Abbott, Stacey Abbott, David and Terry Abbott, Alfred Rousseau, Jesse Hoyt, Jamie and Kathy Hoyt, Rochelle Rousseau and Laura Alefantis, Michelle Abbott and James Robichaud, Maura and Michael Lapointe, Karen and Glen Caron, Sarah and Emily Calder and Alexander Felides. She is also survived by her great-grandchildren Samantha who resided with her, Trevor, Josh, Zachary, Jonathan, and Timothy as well as a niece and nephew, Eleanor Coco and William Cowie. Claire was pre-deceased by her siblings Rita, Ellie, John and James.
ARRANGEMENTS: Family and friends may pay their respects on Wednesday, July 22, 2009, from 4-8 PM at the Kenneth H. Pollard funeral home, 233 Lawrence St., in Methuen. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Thursday, July 23, 2009, at 9 am at St. Monica’s Church with burial to follow at Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Lawrence.