Clare (Reilly) Chagnon a lifelong resident of West Newton died on 4/20/2019 surrounded by her family. Clare was blessed with a long life and a large family. Clare was the daughter of the late Margaret (Clark) Reilly and Edward B. Reilly. She married the late John J Chagnon in 1943 and together they raised their 7 children in West Newton. She spent many summers in Brant Rock Ma and after retiring spent her winters in Vero Beach Florida. Clare and her husband John owned a Ceramics business, she spent several years teaching classes to women from Newton and surrounding communities. She also worked for Newton Police Department as a school crossing guard for many years at the Pierce and Franklin Schools in Newton. In her later years she worked as a nursing assistant at Kathryn Barton Nursing Home. She enjoyed the beach, collecting seashells, birdwatching, ceramics, playing cards, listening to Irish music, reading, and caring for others. Clare was a devoted wife and mother and considered raising her family and running the house her most important jobs. Family always came first. Clare treasured the time she spent with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She always had an open door, an open mind and a loving way of supporting her family. She was great at organizing family events but was also prepared to whip up a meal for whoever stopped in to see her. She was always willing to lend a hand, listen and offer her honest opinion.
She is survived by her children John J. Chagnon Jr. and his wife Diane, Jean Terrasi and her husband Antonio, Robert Chagnon and his wife Diana, Carol Paupst and her husband Stephen, Mary Ellen Castro and her husband Michael, Gail Moylan and her husband John, and her daughter-in-law Anne Chagnon. Predeceased by her son Paul Chagnon. Dear sister to Edward B. Reilly, Jr., and the late Elizabeth Stefanko, Phyllis King, John Reilly and Ann Pendergast. Also survived by 20 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday, April 25th at 11AM in St. Bernard Parish, 1523 Washington St., West Newton. Interment will be private. Visiting Hours Wednesday, 4-7PM at
the Burke & Blackington Funeral Home, 1479 Washington St., West Newton. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mrs. Chagnon's memory may be made to the Alzheimer's Association at alz.org or to the American Cancer
Society at cancer.org