Published in the July 7, 2017 edition
MELROSE — A resident of Melrose for the past 21 years, Clare Proctor passed away early Saturday morning, July 1, at the Melrose-Wakefield Hospital after a sudden onset of overwhelming illness. She was 90 years of age.
Born and raised in Chelsea, she was a daughter of the late Chester W. and Cecilia (Tomaszewski) Proctor.
Clare attended St. Stanislaus parochial school and was graduated from Chelsea High School, Class of ‘44.
She began her 45 year career with New England Tel & Tel. Co. as a telephone operator in the Chelsea office. She later held the position as a service representative and retired as a second level manager from NYNEX in 1990.
She enjoyed winters in Hilton Head, SC, and summers on Plum Island.
Clare was very active in parish life with St. Stanislaus Church in Chelsea and enjoyed volunteering her time at the Whidden Hospital Gift Shoppe in Everett. She also spent time as a volunteer usher with the North Shore Music Theater in Beverly and taught ESL (Polish to English) at the Chelsea Public Library.
In addition to her parents Clare was also preceded in death by two sisters, the late Marie Costigan and Josephine Krasco; two of her brothers-in-law, the late Guy Grimaldi and George Krasco, and her friend the late Jeanie Letizia. She is survived by her beloved sister Theresa Grimaldi of Chelsea, one brother-in-law, Edward Costigan of Woburn, and a dear friend Eleanor Hooton of Melrose. She is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
A funeral Mass was said in St. Stanislaus Church in Chelsea on Thursday. Rev. Andrew T. Grelak officiated at the Mass and offered committal prayers at Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett.
Should friends desire, contribution in her memory may be made to St. Stanislaus Church. For online guest book or to send expressions of sympathy, please visit www.WelshFuneralHome.com.
