Salem: Claire M. (Costello) Gagnon, age 86 a resident of the Lafayette Rehabilitation & Skilled Nursing Facility of Marblehead, died Wednesday, April 27, 2011 at the NSMC / Salem Hospital. She was the wife of the late Elie J. Gagnon.
Born and raised in Lynn, she was the daughter of the late James and Mary (McCarthy) Costello. A graduate of Lynn English High School, throughout the war years Claire worked for General Electric in the Lynn aircraft division. She married Elie in 1945 and moved to Salem to begin and to raise her family, which she believed was her true vocation. Following the death of Elie in 1973, Claire returned to the work force and worked as a companion and later as a nurse’s aid in home healthcare.
She loved knitting and crocheting and devoting her time to her grandchildren. She was an active member of Ste. Anne Parish and of the League of Catholic Women.
Claire is survived by 3 sons, Robert J. Gagnon and his wife Sally Cunningham of Summit, NJ, Richard J. Gagnon and his wife Sandra of Salem, Kenneth R. Gagnon and his wife Paula of Peabody, 2 daughters, Barbara M. Gagnon of Boston and Patricia A. Gagnon and her husband William K. Lewis of Mansfield, 2 brothers, Rev. David Travers, S.J. of Honolulu, HI, Daniel Travers and his wife Betty of Middleton, and a sister-in-law, Edna Costello of Lynn. She is also survived by 5 grandchildren, Elizabeth C. Gagnon of NYC, Katherine H. Gagnon of Summit, NJ, Eban G. Lewis of Mansfield, Kyle S. and Kasey L. Gagnon both of Peabody, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited to gather at the Levesque Funeral Home, 163 Lafayette St. [Rt. 114 / 1-A] Salem on Monday, May 2, 2011 at 10 a.m. to be followed by her funeral mass in Ste. Anne Church, Jefferson Ave., Salem at 11 a.m. Visiting hours: Sunday 3 to 6 p.m. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Salem. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: ALS Assoc., (Lou Gehrig’s Disease), 1275 K Street NW, Suite 1050, Washington, DC 20005 or www.alsa.org. For additional information and guestbook, please visit www.LevesqueFunerals.com