1949 - 2025
Born in Boston, March 6, 1949, Claire was the 3rd of 9 children to John “Jack” Ryan and Isabel L. Shea Ryan. She grew up in a large, close-knit family that spent many years traveling together across the country, creating lifelong memories along the way. Claire and her siblings were raised in Medway, Massachusetts, where they lived with their father until each set out on their own paths.
Claire married Joseph P. Bigelow in 1971, and the couple lived in Franklin, Massachusetts, where they raised their family. Over the years, Claire also lived in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, before eventually settling in Plainville, Massachusetts, where she resided for the past 20 years. She worked for many years in the financial industry, retiring from Citizens Bank in 2015 and Boston Financial in 2018.
Claire often spoke of her dream of having a large family, and she found her greatest joy in time spent with loved ones. She especially cherished being surrounded by her 7 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren, whose presence brought her endless happiness.
A lifelong and devoted Red Sox and Patriots fan, Claire also loved traveling to Cape Cod—her happy place—where she looked forward to putting her seat in a chair and her feet in the sand.
Claire is survived by her children: Denise and Charles Pearson of Norfolk, MA; Melissa Gruhn of Michigan; Jennifer Reakes of Kingstown, RI; Maureen and Scott Thatcher of New Bedford, MA; and Christine and Chris Davis of Bellingham, MA. She also leaves behind her beloved grandchildren Stacey Coe, James Bigelow, Britteny Bigelow, Elizabeth Pearson, Joshua Davis, Ryan Reakes, and Hayden Davis, as well as her great-grandchildren Kaylee, Jimi, Jack, Henry, Joey, Oliver, Ryder, and Jason.
She is also survived by her siblings, John Ryan and his wife Yvette of Minnesota; Joanne Hall of Texas; David Ryan and his wife Donna of New Hampshire; Edward Ryan of New Hampshire; Jeff Ryan of New Hampshire; Nancy Ryan of Massachusetts; and Tom Ryan of Massachusetts. She was preceded in death by her younger brother, Steven Ryan of Massachusetts.
The family extends sincere appreciation and respect to the providers and staff of HopeHealth Hospice for their compassion, care, and support in the final months of Claire’s life.
Memorial donations may be made in Claire’s honor to The Jimmy Fund or to HopeHealth Hospice.
Calling hours will be held Monday, December 22, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Ginley Crowley Funeral Home, 3 Barber Street, Medway. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Joseph’s Church in Medway on Tuesday, December 23, at 10:00 a.m., followed by burial in St. Joseph Cemetery, Medway.
