Claire P. Shea

Claire P. Shea passed away peacefully November 5 with her family near. She was born in Boston in 1931, the daughter of William and Mary Golden of Quincy, MA. In 1956 Claire married Frank A. Shea, Jr., also of Quincy, who would be her beloved companion for the next 58 years. The couple moved to Marblehead, where they enjoyed a simple domestic life and raised a family at their home on Devereux Street, with woods behind and the ocean just a few blocks away.

After her family and friends, Claire loved her house and especially her kitchen. Claire’s baked goods were highly coveted by friends and classmates of her children Nancy, Dan, and Chris well into their college years and beyond. The cookie jar in the corner cupboard was almost always full. Claire enjoyed brisk walks all around Marblehead, with favored stops at the yarn store and by the fireplace in the reading room at Abbot Public Library. She and Frank also loved hosting holiday events, creating wonderful memories of Christmas mornings, Thanksgiving dinners and summer cookouts for themselves and their family. She enjoyed musical theater, and yearly vacations with her husband to Puerto Rico, London, and other locations. Visits with her granddaughter Alex were a special treat.

Claire is survived by her devoted husband Frank, her daughter Nancy Kimball and husband Shawn of North Easton, MA; son Daniel Shea and wife Kathleen of Beverly MA; and son Christopher Shea and wife Dana Trevas of Brandywine, MD. She also leaves behind her granddaughter Alexandra Shea Kimball of North Easton, MA.

A memorial service will be held at the Eustis and Cornell Funeral Home, 142 Elm Street, Marblehead on Saturday, November 8 at 11AM. Visitation will begin at 10AM. Relatives and friends respectfully invited. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Claire’s memory may be made to Abbot Public Library, 235 Pleasant Street, Marblehead, MA 01945.