Claire T. Torpey, 93, life-long resident of North Andover and a Retired North Andover School Teacher, passed away on Monday, November 22nd, 2010 at the Prescott House Nursing Home.
She was born on February 3, 1917 in Lawrence Massachusetts, daughter of the late John Torpey and Mary L. (Davie) Torpey, and sister of Isabel (Torpey) Donovan and Marie B. (Torpey) Medina. Claire was a graduate of Saint Mary's High School, Salem Teachers College and Boston University.
Miss Torpey taught for 39 years and was a much admired and respected teacher and career educator at North Andover High School. She developed and taught a wide range of business curricula and went on to attain and hold department chair for the school's business curriculum until her retirement in 1974.
Claire attended Saint Michael's Church in North Andover, MA. Perhaps the time she cherished most were summers spent with family and friends in Maine where she always enjoyed a brisk walk, a warm fire, and the occasional ice cream cone. There is no doubt that the ocean and seashore were her most favorite destination.
She will be remembered by family and friends as loving and caring, always giving of herself and thinking of others first; a devout Catholic; full of energy and always smiling.
Miss Torpey is survived by her nieces and nephews: Ms. Frances (Donovan) Monahan (previously of Lawrence now residing in Florida); Mr. John Donovan (Andover, Mass.); Mr. Gerard Donovan (Deerfield Beach Florida); Mr. David Middleton (The Woodlands, Texas); and Michael Middleton (Haverhill, Mass). and a grand niece and four grand nephews and a great grand nephew.
Her funeral mass will be celebrated on Thursday, December 2nd, 2010 at 10:00 am in St. Michaels Church, 196 Main Street, North Andover, MA.
Burial will follow in the Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Lawrence, MA.
Relatives and friends are cordially invited to call on Wednesday, December 1st, 2010 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the John Breen Memorial Funeral Home, Inc. on 35 Merrimack Street, North Andover. For online condolences and other information please go to www.breenfuneralhome.com.