April 9, 1936 – April 20, 2025
Clare Mary (Bullock) O’Brien, age 89, of Wakefield and Concord, Massachusetts, died on April 20, 2025, surrounded by her family. Clare was the wife of 68 years of Paul O’Brien.
Clare was born on April 9, 1936, the daughter of the late Patrick and Josephine Bullock. Clare was one of 12 children and was predeceased by her siblings Mary, Robert, Frances, Anne, Joan, Barbara, Patricia, Margaret, John, and Joseph. Clare is survived by her husband Paul, her seven children: Sandra (Mike), Teresa (Frank), Cheri (Brad), Kimberly, Paul Jr. (Sarah), Karen (Vinh), and Linda (Michael) as well as her sister Dorothea. Clare was the devoted grandmother (“Nana”) of eleven grandchildren and one great-grandchild: Alexandra, Arielle, Erin, Daniel, Courtney, Brittany, Madison, Ciara, Malina, Sadie, Olivia, and Lilyanna. She also leaves her sisters in-law, Tish and Jackie, and many nieces and nephews.
Clare was born in Arlington, Massachusetts, and spent her childhood there, where she graduated from Arlington High School. At the age of 17, she met her husband, Paul, at the dance club “Mosley’s on the Charles,” thus beginning a lifelong love and best friendship. They were married in Arlington, MA in August of 1957 and moved to Newport, RI, where Paul was serving in the Navy. After the military, Paul began a long career in the Insurance Industry while Clare raised their large and growing family in Concord, Massachusetts. Clare and Paul enjoyed travelling, often on company trips, to places such as Japan, China, Europe, Arizona, and Hawaii. They particularly loved the Island of Kauai and went back frequently to visit and encouraged their children to honeymoon at this same place that they considered a second home. Late in Paul’s business career, Clare and Paul together launched the O’Brien Insurance Agency in Reading, Massachusetts, where they worked together, alongside their daughter Sandra, with Clare serving as the firm’s Chief Financial and Chief Operating Officer.
Clare was a parishioner of Saint Bernard’s Church (now Holy Family Parish) in Concord for over 50 years. Clare enjoyed reading, music, cooking, water aerobatics, attending Red Sox games, The Boston Symphony and The Boston Pops and was a supporter of those institutions. One of the most memorable O’Brien events was Clare and Paul’s annual hosting of the family at the Boston Pops Christmas concert, where Paul would use his considerable sales skills to obtain the most cherished front row tables. Most recently, Clare and Paul resided at Brightview Senior Living in Wakefield. Clare’s family is very appreciative of the care she received from the dedicated staffs at Brightview, The Brudnick Center, Spaulding Hospital, Lahey Hospital and Winchester Hospital in the past year. Clare’s greatest love was spending time with her best friend and husband, Paul Sr., and enjoying her grandchildren and family.
Family and friends are invited to gather for visiting hours on Sunday, April 27th, from 2 to 4 pm at the Dee Funeral Home, 27 Bedford Street, Concord, Massachusetts. Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated in St. Bernard’s Church at Holy Family Parish, 12 Monument Square, Concord on Monday, April 28th at 10 am. Burial will follow at St. Bernard’s Cemetery in Concord.
Donations in Clare’s memory may be made to Rosie’s Place, P.O. Box 51399, Boston, MA 02205-1399.
Arrangements are entrusted to Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Concord.
