Easton Obituary: Claire (Connolly) Colwell

Claire (Connolly) Colwell, of West Barnstable (formerly of Easton), passed away peacefully at her home Christmas Day, Dec. 25, 2012. She was the devoted wife of the late Larry Colwell. She was born May 23, 1939, in Brockton, daughter of the late Joseph P. and Julia (Lyons) Connolly. She was raised in North Easton, with her siblings, Joan OConnell of Plymouth, Mch., and the late Mary Connolly of Easton, Rose Crowley of Brockton, Joseph E. Connolly of Hobe Sound, Fla. Claire was a 1957 graduate of Oliver Ames High School. She then attended and graduated from the Chamberlain School of Boston. She was employed at the old Jordan Marsh stores where she met her husband, Larry Colwell. They resided in Duxbury with their two daughters before moving to Centerville in 1977. Claire worked for 18 years with the VNA of Cape Cod until her retirement in 2006 and was a eucharistic minister on Saturdays for 18 years at Cape Cod Hospital. She spent her life being a caring and compassionate individual to all she met and was an amazing inspiration as a mother, grandmother, wife, sister, aunt and friend. Claire was most proud of her wonderful family, her daughters, Joan Macallister and her husband Duncan, with whom she made her home, and their four daughters, Catherine, Isabella, Abigail and Gabrielle; Elizabeth Abbott and her husband Mark and their two daughters, Sierra and Annabelle of Falmouth; and her dear niece, Patty Connolly of North Easton. She is also survived by her brother-in-law, Tom Crowley of Brockton; her sister-in-law, Ann Connolly of Jupiter, Fla.; and many loving nieces and nephews. She will be greatly missed by all those who had the pleasure of knowing her. Claire's family extends their sincere appreciation for the special care given to Claire by the staff of HopeHospice, Mugar Cancer Center and Cape Cod Hospital. Visiting hours will be Friday, Dec. 28, from 4-7 p.m. in the John Lawrence Funeral Home, 3778 Falmouth Rd. (Rte. 28), Marstons Mills. A funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday, Dec. 29, at 10 a.m. in Our Lady of Victory Church, 230 South Main St., Centerville. Donations in her memory may be made to Our Lady of Victory Support Group at church address above or to HopeHospice, 765 Attucks Lane, Hyannis, MA 02601. For online guest book, please visit www.johnlawrencefuneralhome.com.