Obituary of Claire Elaine Richards

Claire Elaine Richards, a retired Insurance Broker, passed away on Saturday, July 6, 2019 at the age of 82.  Claire was born in Kingston, Jamaica.   At the age of 41, she immigrated to the United States with her siblings.  Over the last 41 years she made her home in Arlington, Burlington, Billerica, Chelmsford and Beverly.  She worked as an Insurance Broker for Aon Risk for much of her career in Boston. 

Claire had a warm, welcoming, and vibrant way about her that made time spent with her enjoyable. She made friends everywhere; work, neighborhood and church.  The perfect example of Claire’s hospitality is that she even had “Bus Friends”.  She took the same express bus to Boston from Burlington every day for many years and while many kept to themselves, read a paper, or slept, she would chat, tell stories, sing, and even took part in holiday parties on the bus on the way to and from work.  She maintained some of those friendships into her retirement after moving to Beverly. Claire’s compassion, positivity, humor, trust, respect, and kindness has left heart prints on all whom she has touched and loved during her lifetime.

Claire was a woman of faith and family.  She lived and practiced her Catholic faith everyday of her life.  She loved being part of her church’s choirs and loved singing her praises of and to God. She was a member of the Merrimack Valley Choral Society and the founder and co-director of the choral group at the Colonial Gardens Independent Living facility, where they performed on holidays and other events.

Claire had an incredible connection with her family.  Family gatherings were never small events. She and her sisters, Eunice and Theresa, were fondly called the “Golden Girls”.  They were inseparable. Her sister Marie was her greatest advocate and confidant, their bond was like no other.  She enjoyed her long chats and peaceful conversations with her brother Joe and cherished the visits with her brother Mickey, who was always there to protect and watch over her.  Although Claire did not have children of her own, she showered her love upon her many nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews.   She was a second mother to them all.  She attended all their activities, sporting events, and celebrations.  If there was a family gathering or emergency she was always there to lend a helping hand or support.  In her last years, her nieces and nephews were at her side enhancing her life just as she had done for them for so many years.

Claire was the beloved daughter of the late Albert and Sybil Richards of Kingston, Jamaica.  She was the loving sister of Marie & her husband Harry Lewis of Old Bridge, NJ; Michael Richards & his wife Jean of Burlington MA; the late Joseph Richards & his surviving wife Beverly of Toronto Canada; the late Theresa and her late husband Ludlow Morales, and the late Eunice Richards.  Claire was also survived by many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. 

A visitation will be held at the Edward V Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt. 128/95 Woburn side) on Thursday, July 11 from 10 – 11:30 a.m.  Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Margaret’s Church, 111 Winn St., Burlington at Noon.  Services will conclude with burial in Chestnut Hill Cemetery, Burlington.  For directions, obituary & online guestbook see www.sullivanfuneralhome.net & www.stmargaretburlington.org