WORCESTER: Claire R. (O’Sheasy) O’Hearn, 91, died on Wednesday, August 19, 2009 at Christopher House in Worcester, after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. She was born in Worcester, daughter of the late Felix A. and Mary F. (Ashe) O’Sheasy, and lived here all her life. She was the widow of Captain Philip M. O’Hearn, who was killed in action in 1945 at the Battle of the Bulge. She was also predeceased by two sisters, Helen E. Flynn and Frances M. Carrigan, and one brother, Edward A. O’Sheasy.
She leaves one daughter, Susan C., wife of William H. Bamerick III and many nieces and nephews, including four godchildren, Carole Painter of Peoria, AZ, with whom she had a special bond, Sheila Booth of Worcester, Kathleen Neilson of Stowe, VT, and Thomas Carrigan of Northborough. In addition to her daughter and son-in-law, whom she cherished, she was close to her nieces Nancy Flynn and Joanne Bellows.
Claire graduated from the former Commerce High School and did office work at the Melville Shoe Corporation, Rockwood Sprinkler Company, and Cooney and Connor Advertising, all formerly of Worcester. She retired in 1963 to care for her parents and their property on Sturgis Street. Her “landlady” tasks extended to mowing the lawn and shoveling snow herself. Although she lived in several other places, she always considered 10 Sturgis Street her home.
All who knew her remember Claire’s friendliness, kindness, willingness to listen, keen sense of humor, and distinctive style. She was a woman of faith and a lifelong Catholic who attended daily Mass for many years. Claire also had a talent for working with her hands and mastered crocheting, tatting, knitting, and chair caning.
Claire’s daughter is deeply grateful to everyone at Christopher House who worked with her, especially to the staff of the Brookside Unit for their professional and loving care of her mother during the past two and a half years. Susan would also like to thank those at UMass Memorial Hospice for the compassionate end of life care which Claire received from them.
CALLING HOURS will be held from 5 to 8 P.M. on SUNDAY, August 23, in KELLY FUNERAL HOME, 154 Lincoln St. A FUNERAL MASS will be held at 10 A.M. on MONDAY, August 24, in ST. STEPHEN’S CHURCH, 357 Grafton St. Burial will follow in St. John’s Cemetery.
The family suggests donations in memory of Claire be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, MA/NH Chapter, 128 Providence St, Worcester, 01604. Messages of condolence or thoughts and memories of Claire can be left on-line at www.kellyfuneralhome.com