Clare L. Ellison age 93, of Estero, FL, formerly of Dover, MA and Naples, FL, passed away peacefully on November 29, 2023, in Estero, FL after a long and rewarding life. Clare, Mom, Nana, Nana Clare was born November 1, 1930, All Saints’ Day, in Boston, MA, to parents Louise and Eugene Driscoll, Sr. The second of six children, she was raised in Somerville, MA. Clare was a proud alumna of St. Clements High School and later Chandler Secretarial School for Women.
Clare married her high school sweetheart, George Ellison, Sr., and together they shared fifty wonderful years and ten loving children, five girls and five boys. The children were raised in Dover, MA, and the family enjoyed summers on White Horse Beach in Plymouth and later in Osterville on Cape Cod. Clare played an active and supportive role in each child’s life. Educational and sporting events, music and dance recitals, church and community occasions, Girl Scout Troop Leader, Cub Scout Den Mother, Room Mother at the Chickering and Caryl schools, Dover-Sherborn Booster Volunteer and countless carpools! If there was a gathering, Clare was always in attendance and brought an instant audience along everywhere she went.
She was a second Mom to many. Her door was always open and everyone was welcome at her table. “What’s one more?!” was her usual refrain whenever a child asked if a friend could stay for dinner.
Clare was a person of tremendous faith. A daily communicant for many years of her life, she was active in her parish communities in Dover, MA and Naples, FL. She served as Prefect of the Sodality at both parishes and also sang in the choir and was a member of the Altar Guild. In Dover she was a CCD teacher and in Naples she was an Arimethean.
Clare loved to entertain and enjoyed a devoted circle of friends everywhere she lived. She played tennis, bridge and mahjong and enjoyed an afternoon at the Philharmonic, or a Red Hat social. She loved to play the piano and she loved to sing, often calling each child on their birthday to sing Happy Birthday. She loved to travel, enjoyed a good novel, the daily crossword puzzle and sudoku. She loved dinners at Ken’s Steak House and Anthony’s Pier 4 and bowls of Brigham’s ice cream anywhere, anytime.
Her favorite Celtic was John Havlicek. Her favorite Red Sox player was Johnny Pesky. Her favorite Bruin was Bobby Orr, and her favorite Patriot was Tom Brady. Throughout her life, Clare loved cheering for all her beloved Boston sports teams, but more than anything else she was a die-hard Red Sox fan!
Clare will forever be remembered for her unwavering faith, her loyal devotion to her family, her joyous laughter and her beautiful smile.
Clare was predeceased by her husband, George, her parents, Louise and Eugene Driscoll, Sr., and her siblings, Eugene Driscoll, Jr., Mary O’Hara, Louise McCune and William Driscoll.
She leaves behind a tremendous legacy. Clare is survived by her ten children, Mary Charles and Ralph Sharp, of Estero, FL; George and Donna Ellison of West Newbury, MA; Catherine and Kurt Scheeren of Virginia Beach, VA; Gene and Kate Ellison of Lynnfield, MA; Ed and Kathy Ellison of Wilmington, NC; Patty Ellison of New Port Richey, FL; Clare and Rick Lagiewski of Churchville, NY; John and Sarah Ellison of Cumberland, ME; Margaret and Chuck Simonds of Hopkinton, MA; and, Robert Ellison of Salem, MA. She is also survived by 14 grandchildren, Laura and Luke Preble, Sarah and Dan O’Shea, Julia and Randy Palmedo, Phil and Katrina Ellison, James Ellison, Colleen Ellison, Matthew Ellison, Emily Ellison and Sean Maguire, Courtney and Mark Dunlap, Thomas Jasiulevicius, Ricky Lagiewski, Michaela Ellison, Chris Lagiewski and Savannah Simonds, as well as seven great grandchildren, Robby, Owen, Teddy, Will, Desi, Ian and Lulu. She is also survived by her brother, Frank Driscoll of Boynton Beach, FL, her brother-in-law, Jim McCune, of Somerville, MA, and her sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Ellie and Jack O’Neil of Boca Raton FL, as well as many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to Mary Charles and Ralph Sharp for providing Mom with hospitality, companionship, comfort, care and unconditional love for the past 13 years and especially the past six months. The family will always be grateful for their dutiful and selfless devotion to Mom.
Visiting hours will be held at the George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home, 477 Washington St (Rte. 16), Wellesley on Thursday, December 7 from 4-7PM. Clare’s funeral will be held from the funeral home on Friday, December 8 at 10AM followed by a Funeral Mass at The Church of The Most Precious Blood, 30 Centre Street, Dover at 11AM. Relatives and friends are kindly invited. Interment Highland Cemetery, Dover.
In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in Clare’s memory to Salem State University/The Ellison Family Scholarship Fund; Office of SSU Advancement; 352 Lafayette Street; Salem, MA 01970.