Gabrielle P. Clasby

Gabrielle Patience Landrigan Clasby, 82, passed away on February 20, 2022 surrounded by her loving children. Gay was Rhode Island born and Rhode Island bred, the daughter of the late James Landrigan and the late Alberta O’Connor, and sister to the late Connie Sullivan. Gay lived in: Cranston, Rhode Island; Avon, Massachusetts; McLean, Virginia; and most recently in Gainesville, Virginia. Gay spent many wonderful summers at the beach in Matunuck and Green Hill, Rhode Island. Gay was married to the late John Clasby, and is survived by their three children, Jenny McClennan of Arlington, Virginia, Sue Clasby of McLean, Virginia, John Clasby Jr. of Louisville, Colorado, and their respective spouses, William McClennan III, Edward Buzzi III, and Suzy Tegen. She was known as “Nanny” to her seven grandchildren: William, Abigail, and James McClennan; Landrigan and Veronica Buzzi; and Amelia and Kate Clasby. Gay was pre-deceased by her husband of 49 years, John, in 2013.

Gay attended Newton College of the Sacred Heart which is now part of Boston College. After graduating, she worked as a teacher at Gilbert Stuart Middle School in Providence, RI. Gay married John Clasby in 1964 after a courtship across the city of Boston and the beaches of Rhode Island. During his training for the Marine Corps and service in Vietnam, she lived in North Carolina, Rhode Island, and Okinawa, Japan so that they could be together as a family with their first child, Jenny. Their second child, Sue, arrived soon after they finished their service in the Marines. A few years later they settled in Avon, Mass where their third child, John, was born. The family flourished surrounded by good friends, good neighbors, and extended family.

In 1983, the family moved to McLean, Virginia where they expanded their community with new friends and neighbors. Gay was a successful realtor all across northern Virginia with MacEnearney Associates Realtors. She opened her home to family for extended stays and to friends and family for holiday feasts. At age 61, Gay earned her Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies from Washington Theological Union. WTU then hired her as a Spiritual Director to guide the spiritual formation of others. After retiring, Gay and John had many adventures together and treasured the time with their seven grandchildren.

Gay was a world traveler and visited Europe, Japan, Russia, Africa, New Zealand, Australia, and Iceland. She hosted an adventure for her children and their families at Yellowstone National Park. Gay enjoyed playing bridge, riding the waves, wood carving, raucous card games, and attending many of her grandchildren’s events. She was a great talker and a good listener.

Gay will be remembered for her charm, generosity of her spirit, wonderfully wicked sense of humor, love of God, and lifelong devotion to and fierce love of family.

Calling hours will be Friday, February 25 at the Murphy Funeral Home from 2:00-4:00 pm and 6:00-8:00 pm (4510 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, Virginia). A Mass to celebrate her life will be held Saturday, February 26 at 10:30 am at St. Luke Catholic Church (7001 Georgetown Pike, McLean, Virginia).

In recent years, Gay was passionate about helping the people of Haiti. She was a founding member of a 501(c)(3) non-profit named Cite Soleil Companions in Christ. Contributions in her honor are a wonderful way to commemorate her impact on the world. Information about donating is available here: https://www.citesoleilcompanions.org