...Tewksbury Matriarch; 90
TEWKSBURY - Claire I. (Jacques) Shannon, age 90, Matriarch of a well known family of nine, died early Wednesday morning, May 9, at Winchester Hospital. She was the beloved wife of John J. Shannon Sr., who died in 1985.
She was born in Cambridge, May 22, 1921, the only child of Eugene and Leda (Jacques) Jacques. She was raised in Somerville and graduated from St. Joseph's High School in Somerville. Upon marriage, she moved to Foster Road in Tewksbury in 1951, to raise her family. She remained until moving to Malden in 1976, and later to Stoneham in 1988.
She was an accomplished pianist, and offered piano lessons from her home. She was a devout Catholic, and was active as a fund raiser in the build out of St. William's Parish in the 50's and 60's. She was a member of St. William's Blessed Virgin Mary Sodality, and also served the Ladies Auxiliary at the Tewksbury Veterans of Foreign War Post 8164 in Tewksbury.
She is survived by nine children and their spouses, John J. Shannon Jr., and his wife Ann (Cuccinotta) of VA, Maureen C. Lensky and her husband Richard of Hudson, NH, Corinne M. Kelliher and her husband John of Tyngsboro, Martha I. Pedone and her husband James of Saugus, Theresa M. Heim and her husband Alan of CA, Paul K. Shannon and his wife Karen (Massie) of Manchester, NH, Robert T. Shannon and Joanie Tamburrini both of Stoneham, Kathleen A. Steinbrecher and her husband Joseph of Tewksbury, Barbara C. Murano and her husband Joseph Murano, M.D. of Medford; 17 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren.
Her Funeral Mass was celebrated Saturday May 12, in St. Patrick's Church, Stoneham. Burial followed at Tewksbury Cemetery. Memorial contributions to the charity of donor's choice will be appreciated.