Mrs. Claire V. Durkin

February 7, 1927 - October 5, 2016

CLAIRE V. DURKIN Loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother Claire V. Durkin, age 89, passed away on Wednesday, October 5, 2016 surrounded by her loving family after an eleven year battle with Alzheimer’s. She was the wife of the late Brendan T. Durkin, who passed away on July 24, 2015, with whom she celebrated 65 years of marriage. She is survived by her children: Brendan Jr. (Mike) and MaryAnn Durkin, Kathy and Tim Woods, JoAnn and Rick Spencer, Dan and Stephanie Durkin, Dottie Durkin, Kevin and Pam Durkin. She was also the mother of Patty Durkin who passed on April 1, 2011. She is also survived by her sister, Kay McCabe, sister-in-law Mary Neylon and a dear cousin Rita Kirwin. “Nana” will be sadly missed by her fifteen grandchildren, with whom she shared a special love and relationship: Mick (Christine), Joe (Meghan) and Brian (Julie) Durkin.; Erin (Woods) and Jim Quealy, Tim and Stacey Woods, Patrick and Kristin Woods; Lauren and Alyson Spencer; Steve, Matthew and Jenna Durkin; Lily Durkin; and Zachary, Olivia and Athena Durkin. Nana was blessed to love and be loved by her great grandchildren: Kyle, Sydney and Leah Durkin; Brendan, Caoilinn and Chelsey Quealy; Cameron, Benjamin and Drew Durkin; Tyler and Jack Durkin; Cole and Chloe Woods. Claire was the youngest of five children born to Thomas and Catherine (McCarthy) Neylon following their immigration from County Clare, Ireland. She was pre-deceased by her sisters Mary Gorman and Alice Phelps and brother Tom Neylon and by her brothers-in law John Gorman, Edward Phelps and Patrick McCabe. Claire was also predeceased by her in-laws: Edward Durkin, Dorothy Durkin, James and Frances Durkin, John and Mary Durkin, Paul and Connie Durkin, Harold and Frances Durkin, Walter and Roseanne Durkin and Gerald and Phyllis Durkin. Claire was a graduate of the Sacred Heart School and Lowell High School, Class of 1944. Following his return from World War II, she married Brendan, her high school sweetheart, and they began their life together. Brendan and Claire raised their seven children in the Sacred Heart Parish. A devout Catholic, Claire was a homemaker whose life centered on her husband and family. She was a woman of honor, courage and conviction. After her children had grown, she became a paraprofessional at the Murkland School in Lowell, devoting her time and energy to Pre-K and Kindergarten students. She was loyal to her friends and generous with her time and talents to help anyone in need. Claire was a woman of simple tastes. She loved the beach and being involved in the activities of her kids, grandchildren and great grandchildren and the time which she and Brendan shared with Buster and Sissy Meehan and Dot and Jim Kelleher and their many friends. Claire shared a deep pride of her Irish Heritage with Brendan. Together, Brendan and Claire were tremendous role models for their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren to emulate as they serve their Family, Church and Community and faced challenges in their life together. The Family takes solace in the fact they are together again. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation so that someday, the ravaging effects of Alzheimer’s will be a distant memory. The family also wishes to acknowledge the compassionate care our Mom received at the D’Youville Senior Care Center especially the staff at C-Wing who treated our Mom with the love, respect and dignity which she deserved. FUNERAL NOTICE DURKIN—In Lowell, October 5, 2016, Claire V. (Neylon) Durkin, 89, the beloved wife of the late Brendan T. Durkin, Sr. Family and friends may call at the FAY McCABE FUNERAL HOME, 105 MOORE STREET, LOWELL on MONDAY from 3 until 8 PM. Mrs. Durkin’s Funeral Mass will be celebrated on TUESDAY MORNING at 10 o’clock at ST. MARGARET’S CHURCH, 374 Stevens St. Lowell. Burial will follow in St. Patrick’s Cemetery. As an expression of sympathy, donations in Mrs. Durkin's memory may be made to The Alzheimer's Association, Massachusetts Chapter, 480 Pleasant St. Watertown, MA 02472 or at www.alzmass.org/donate ARRANGEMENTS BY THE FAY McCABE FUNERAL DIRECTORS 978-459-9222 www.faymccabe.com   