Clara Hayes Barrett

Barrett, Clara Hayes, age 70, of Hingham, Nantucket, and Palm Beach, known to many as Kim, passed away on October 14, 2013 in her home in Hingham. After a two-­year battle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, Mrs. Barrett passed away surrounded by her loving family and friends.

 

Mrs. Barrett was born December 20, 1942, in Marshfield, MA, to Francis A. and Margaret M. Hayes. She was predeceased in January 2003 by her sister, Sister Claire Hayes, who died of Acute Myelogenous Leukemia and was at the time the Catholic chaplain of Boston Medical Center. Mrs. Barrett received a B.A. from Stonehill College and a Master’s Degree from the Rhode Island School of Design. An English teacher at Scituate High School and then Cambridge Rindge & Latin, she married Dr. Peter Barrett on June 26, 1965. In 1968, she founded Clara Hayes Barrett Designs, Inc.. Establishing offices in Boston, Nantucket, and Palm Beach, the company completed hundreds of residential and commercial projects throughout the country. Her design and decorating work has been featured in numerous newspapers, national magazines, and television programs. A member of Sankaty Head Golf Club, Nantucket Yacht Club, Hingham Yacht Club, and The Lost Tree Club, she was an avid golfer and sailor. She did a great deal of charitable work, founding the Sister Claire Hayes Memorial fund, as well as working with and donating to The ALS Association, VNA Care Network & Hospice, The American Cancer Society, The Catholic Schools Foundation, The American Red Cross, and The Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston and Nantucket.

 

Mrs. Barrett is survived by her devoted husband, Peter, a clinical professor of Radiology at Tufts Medical School; her sons Peter Jr. of Hingham and Jonathan of Boston. She also leaves behind Peter’s three children Samuel, Georgia, and Peter III; and Jonathan’s three children Finian, Graeme, and Jonathan, Jr.