Claire Norton Burke

Claire Norton Burke of Hingham died peacefully Friday, December 22, 2017 at her home with her children by her side after a brief illness.

She was the loving wife of 59 years of the late Richard Finn Burke. She was born in Dorchester, MA, on August 5, 1931 to the late John and Katherine Norton.

She will forever be remembered for her gentle kindness and compassion towards everyone she met. She had a special gift from God of touching people’s lives. Her greatest joy was her endless devotion to her family. Claire was most proud of her six children and 12 grandchildren. She lived life to the fullest through her everlasting faith in the Lord. She was a Eucharistic Minister at Resurrection of Our Lord Church and attended services there for 35 years.

She was a graduate from Mount Ida College and Lesley College. She was a loving and wonderful mother for 61 years. Claire engaged professionally in many areas of the fashion and design industry, finishing up her illustrious career at Talbots of 18 years. She enjoyed art, theater, music, reading and summers on Cape Cod. She had a flare for coordinating colors, decorating and a passion for real estate.

Surviving family includes her children, Richard Burke of Stratham, NH, Kathy Wells of Hingham, Charles Burke of Quincy, John and Tracey (Leighton) Burke of Duxbury, Jay and Jennifer (Weymouth) Burke of Norwell, and Mary Claire (Burke) and Brian Flaherty of Franklin, and 12 grandchildren.

Memorial gifts may be sent to the Hospice of the South Shore.