Claire A. (Sheehan) Pierce

SALEM—Claire A. (Sheehan) Pierce, 87, beloved wife of the late Francis J. Pierce, Sr., died peacefully in her sleep Friday evening July 12, 2013 at the Lafayette Nursing Home in Marblehead.

Born in Salem, she was the daughter of the late John W. and Claire (McLean) Sheehan. She grew up in Salem and graduated from Salem High School, Class of 1943. She was a lifelong resident of the Salem Willows area.

Besides providing a nurturing home environment, she also worked as a Senior Clerk with the Essex County Registry of Deeds of 14 years before taking a retirement disability in 1986.

Claire was a very faithful and devoted member of the Immaculate Conception Church of Salem. She was a member of the Ladies Sodality, enjoyed walking, and was a lifelong member of the Juniper Community Club of the Willows. The family would like the thank the staff of The Lafayette Nursing Home and All Care Hospice for the kind and compassionate care shown to Claire.

She is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Ginny & Eric Johnson of Salem; a son, Lawrence W. Pierce of Salem; four grandchildren, Adam Pierce, Bryon Pierce, Emma Pierce Ross & her husband Dana, and Elizabeth Anna Johnson & her fiancée Chris Gaff; a great-grandson, Colby Ross; a brother, Rev. J. William Sheehan, OMI of Lowell, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death, besides her husband and parents, by her son Francis “Mike” Pierce, Jr., a daughter-in-law Marion Pierce, two grandsons, Lucas Pierce and Padraic Pierce, and a sister Mary Lou Marrs.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to gather for a Funeral Mass of Christian Burial on Wednesday July 17, 2013 at 11 AM in Immaculate Conception Church, Salem. Burial will be in Greenlawn Cemetery, Salem. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Oblate Infirmary and Retirement Home, 486 Chandler St., Tewksbury, MA 01876 or to All Care Hospice, 210 Market St., Lynn, MA 01901.