Margaret Mary “Claire” Contos

Margaret Mary “Claire” Contos, Born in County Cork Ireland, Claire remained fiercely proud of her Irish heritage throughout her 90 years of wonderful life.  Her mother brought young Claire and her seven siblings “across the pond” to rejoin her husband who had earlier come to Boston to find work.  The Mostyns established themselves in South Boston, where they became part of the growing city, rich with the blend of old and new community.

Claire attended the Gavin School and South Boston High.  During World War II she worked at Packard Motors and met many who would become life-long girlfriends.

At a YWMCA dance she met John Contos, a tall, handsome man with grace and a caring manner.  They were captivated with one another and the love that began at that moment remained and never subsided over the course of the sixty eight year marriage.

Together “Claire and Johnny”, whose names merged into one inseparable word, lived in the North Quincy and Wollaston areas their entire married life.  Here she raised three sons and a daughter.  Along with caring for her children and husband Claire was the definition of a classic homemaker, constantly making her house a home.  She was passionate about her gardening, sewing, cooking and entertaining.

Claire worked at Remick’s  in Quincy Square and Jordan Marsh in the Communications Department where she was employed until retirement.

Claire and Johnny traveled around the United States, the Caribbean and Europe, but for them Quincy remained their family home.

Claire never tired of the seashore, and, although she visited beaches around the world was especially fond of Old Silver Beach in Falmouth. 

Claire lost the love of her life “Johnny” last year and now they are together again.

She is survived by her son Gregory, his wife Josephine of Littleton MA, John C. (Jack) his wife Geraldine of Quincy, daughter Lisa Smith and her husband Rick of Quincy, grandchildren Glen, Spencer, Colin, Brendan and Erin, brother William of Eastham, sister Virginia O’Donnell  of Quincy and many, many nieces and nephews.  She was loving mother to the late Michael C. Contos. The daughter of the late William and Catherine Mostyn, sister to Patrick Mostyn, Maureen Borhek, Catherine (Ivy) Desmond, Eleanor Govatsos and Elizabeth Crowley, Mother in law to David F. McGrath all of whom have passed away.   

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the visiting hours on Thursday 4:30-7 PM in the Keohane Funeral Home, 785 Hancock St., QUINCY. A Funeral Mass will be held Friday in Sacred Heart Church, Quincy at 10:30 AM where everyone will meet directly at the church. Burial will be at Blue Hill Cemetery, Braintree.

In lieu of donations, please sit down and have a homemade dinner with the people you love.