Mary Rita (Winn) Claffey

Mary Rita Claffey, beloved mother of James and his wife Patricia of Falmouth, Jane and her husband Maurice of Dorchester, John and his wife Julie of Saugus, and Alison and her partner Bill Wilson of Pepperell, wife of the late James Claffey, passed away on Tuesday, October 26, 2021, surrounded by her children. Mary was predeceased by her brother, Robert Winn, and his wife, Judith Yates Winn.

Mary was born September 16, 1934, in Boston, the beloved first of four daughters and second child of John and Alice Callahan Winn. Mary spent her childhood visiting the Medford Public Library, entertaining her five siblings, and visiting Revere Beach. She graduated from Cheverus High School in Malden. Mary and Jim raised their family in Woburn. Mary retired from Harvard University after 25 years.

In 1987, Mary became "Gram", the role she cherished in life more than any other. Mary's grandchildren were her pride and joy. She leaves behind Meghan Lubkowicz and Daniel Claffey; Ciara, Emma, Allie and Jackie Murphy; Madelyn, Hannah, and Nicholas Claffey; and Ashley Ducharme, as well as her two great-grandchildren, Oliver Claffey and Floralie Lubkowicz. Mary also leaves behind her best friends, her siblings, Joan Newark and her husband Frank of Ayer, Jack Winn of Boston, Paula Loynd and her husband Dick of Concord, and Elizabeth Kelley and her late husband Paul of Hyannis, all of whom loved nothing better than having a “good silly” with Mary. She will be missed terribly but her family finds comfort thinking of her reuniting with Dad, Mummy, Daddy, Mum, Bob, and Aunt Rita.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Lady of Grace Parish worshiping at St. Joseph's Church, 28 Tarbell St. Pepperell, MA on Saturday, November 6th at 1 p.m. Relatives and friends invited. The family kindly requests that masks be worn. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 ( www.StJude.org ) in Mary's memory.