Clare (Gallagher) Peterson's Obituary
Clare (Gallagher) Peterson passed away Wednesday, February 4, 2009 after a brief illness, surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Freeland, PA on July 24, 1922. The daughter of James and Agnes (Dogett) Gallagher, she was predeceased by her sisters Marie, and Rita, and her brothers Richard, Frank, and James. Clare was very active in several charitable organizations during her life. She was Past President of the St. Clare League of Catholic Women, Vice President of the Guild of the Infant Savior and as table Chairwoman ran several successful dinners and fashion shows for those charities. She was secretary to Msgr. Joseph P. Burke at St. Patrick Rectory, during which time she was involved in numerous parish activities. She also ran many successful events as Prefect to Our Lady's Sodality. She belonged to the Outreach Program since its inception, visiting parishioners in nursing homes and donating to the needy. Clare was also a proud and active member of the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, Division 8. Clare was later employed by Merrimack College as Assistant to the Registrar for thirteen years. In retirement she volunteered in the gift shop at Holy Family Hospital where she was a Life Member. Clare and her husband, Jack, were married December 30, 1943 in St. Rose of Lima Church, Newark, NJ, and moved to Lawrence in 1955. She and Jack were members of St. Patrick Parish. They were also daily communicants at the now closed Sacred Heart Church. Clare doted on her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She always looked forward to the major holidays when the whole family would gather at her home for dinner. For more than thirty years Clare and her friends went out every Thursday for dinner, and she did all the driving. She is survived by her husband, Jack A. Peterson, their sons Richard and his wife Denise, Randy and his wife Eileen, Jeffrey and his wife Diane, as well as six grandchildren; Jennifer, Meghan, Sean, Ryan, Annie, and Julie, and two great grandchildren; Aidan and Riley. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, February 9, 2009 at 11:00 A.M. in St. Patrick's Church, 118 South Broadway, Lawrence, MA. Entombment will follow in the Immaculate Conception Chapel Mausoleum, also in Lawrence, MA. Family and friends are invited to call on Sunday, February, 8, 2009 from 3 to 7 P.M. at the John Breen Memorial Funeral Home, Inc., 122 Amesbury St., Lawrence, MA. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Cor Unum Meal Center, 191 Salem St., Lawrence, MA., 01843. To send an online condolence or for more information, please go to www.breenfuneralhome.com.
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