Claire Kirk of Rockport Massachusetts died of natural causes on July 16th 2018 as she approached her 90th birthday. Claire was born on December 5th1928, the eldest of four children born to Helen Ursula (Mea) Kirk and Francis Patrick Kirk. She was predeceased by her brothers Jack and Frank and her sister, Sr. Ursula Kirk.
Claire graduated from Newton Country Day School and Newton College of the Sacred Heart in one the College’s first graduating classes and worked for Ginn and Company and Xerox Corporation for nearly 40 years, and later in Galleries on Rockport’s Bear Skin Neck. Claire dearly loved her parents, brothers, sister, her many aunts and uncles, and legion of Kirk cousins. Claire is survived by her sister in law, Penelope W. Kirk, nephews John, Peter, Timothy, Andrew, Ben and Patrick, 6 great nieces and her great nephew. Claire had a clear mind, an incredibly accurate memory, and good humor all of which she retained until the very end of her long life. She loved practicing her Catholic faith, living on Cape Ann, being a Kirk, laughing, and eating clam rolls and lobster rolls. Her long time caregiver and friend, Ann Weld, was single-handedly responsible for extending her life.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be on Friday July 20th in St. John The Evangelist Church 9 Glen Road Wellesley Hills at 12 noon, followed by interment in St. Joseph's Cemetery West Roxbury. An hour of visitation will be held immediately prior to the Mass from 10:30-11:30am in the Henry J. Burke & Sons Funeral Home, 56 Washington St. Wellesley. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Catholic Charities and Cape Ann Animal Aid.