Sister Mary Claire O’Connor, CSJ

(Sr. Cornelia)

January 3, 1925 – June 10, 2022

Be as God wants you
in nature, grace and glory.
This, your one desire
— from Maxims in Haiku

God was good to Mary Claire O’Connor, and Mary Claire was good to God! God certainly gave Mary Claire length of days—ninety-seven years of life. We, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston, have been abundantly blessed. God called her to be among us and God’s people for seventy-eight years of her precious life as a Sister of St. Joseph.

Mary Claire we born in Boston to Cornelius and Alice Flanagan O’Connor and grew up in So. Boston. She shared life with her brothers, Cornelius and Bill. She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph in 1944. She loved her So. Boston roots as Father Kevin will attest.

As Sisters of St. Joseph, we strive always to be a visible sign of God’s presence and active love. As a teacher in elementary education at St Benedict’s in Somerville, St. Joseph’s, Lynn, St. John’s, Quincy, St. Catherine’s, Norwood, St. Theresa’s, West Roxbury, and Sacred Heart, Weymouth, Mary Claire was a witness to God’s love to the students, parents, and teachers with whom she ministered.

She also served as principal of S. Agatha’s, Milton, and Sacred Heart, Weymouth. She went on to serve in the Catholic School Office of the Archdiocese of Boston. Her many gifts and talents were truly appreciated there. It was her generosity and wonderful sense of humor that endeared her to her colleagues.

As a life-long learner, Mary Claire perfected her skills in computers, the iPad and iPhone. Didn’t she love to FaceTime with friends! I can almost hear her calling for Sister Anna Edge in heaven to teach her the latest version of some computer program.

Mary Claire is now reunited with her longtime friends, Sadie and Theresa, or as some fondly called them “The Golden Girls!!” Heaven rings out with peals of laughter and fun.

In today’s second reading, we will hear: “God loves a giver who gives cheerfully!” God is certainly smiling as Mary Claire enters into the place prepared for her from all eternity.

May you rest in peace, dear friend.

Given by Denise Kelly June 15, 2022