Maureen C. (Clifford) Cleary

Maureen C. Cleary (Clifford) of Milton, Massachusetts passed away peacefully on August 15, with family by her side and a view of her beloved ocean waves. Born in Boston, she was raised in Charlestown and graduated from Charlestown High School. She loved reminiscing about her time as a Townie with her sisters, “baby” brother, and many lifelong friends.

She met her future husband, Paul, a Dorchester native, on a trip to the Cape with friends. It was ‘love at first dance.’ They were soon married and began raising a family in East Milton. While he worked his way to the top of an Electrical Engineering firm, she would successfully dabble in real estate and the stock market while simultaneously managing seven sleepy and reluctant paperboys/girl, golf caddies, and fledgling scholars. Some of her major challenges included herding the seven to Filene’s Basement in Boston for back to school shopping, bringing them to kids eat free day at the Red Coach Grille, or the ill-advised,now epic, trip on a Greyhound bus to California. Occasionally finding time for herself during those harried times she could be found fundraising for Catholic Charities or sneaking some laps in at the pool at the Sheraton Tara. Summers were reserved for the family beach house and the memories made at ‘The Little Cottage that Could’ at Rexhame Beach in Marshfield.

Although life was never the same with Paul’s passing, she embraced the role of ‘Nana’. She had an infectious laugh and thoroughly enjoyed the endless company of friends and family while seated in her comfy chair by the fireplace. She loved all things Irish and often traveled to the land of her parents, never missing a stop at Caragh Lake or a visit to the cottage she lived in as a child in Muingaphuca. Nana even became quite ‘tech-savvy’ in her later years and formed quite the friendship with the Amazon ‘Alexa’. But of all the things that the role of Nana brought, nothing made her happier than doting on her many grandchildren. She had a way of making each of them feel like the most cherished, while all were gathered in the same room. Her grandchildren quickly learned that all requests ended with Nana saying, “Whatever your little heart desires.” She will be greatly missed but always remembered whenever “Nana’s Moon” lights up the sky.

Beloved wife of the late Paul M. Cleary.  Mother of  Paul J. Cleary and his wife Laura of Milton, Michael Cleary and his wife Mary “Mimi” of Canton, Stephen Cleary and Christine of FL, the late Dr. John Cleary and his wife Joyce of CA, Timothy Cleary of Milton, Patrick Cleary of Roslindale, and Maura Kistler and husband Dominick of Milton. Sister of Frances “Fran” Clifford of Quincy, Denis Clifford and his wife Maureen of Canton, Ann Hendry and her late husband Joseph of Marshfield, and the late Margaret “Peg” Lynch and her husband James Lynch.  Also survived by 15 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.  Funeral Mass at St. Agatha Church, Milton Tuesday morning at 10:30. Visiting hours at the Alfred D. Thomas Funeral Home 326 Granite Ave Milton Tuesday morning prior to the mass from 8:30 to 10:30. Burial Milton Cemetery. Donations may be made in her memory to the Paul M. Cleary Challenge for Kids at www.clearychallenge.com