Clare M. Cummings

Waltham – Mrs. Clare M. (Clark) Cummings, of Waltham, died Saturday, May 30, 2009 at Maristhill Nursing Home, Waltham.

Clare was born in Akron, Ohio and was a daughter of the late Albert and Clare (Moriarty) Clark. She lived for many years in Toledo, Ohio where she graduated from Notre Dame Academy and Toledo Teachers College. She worked as the Registrar at DeSales College in Toledo before her marriage. She lived in Cambridge before moving to Waltham in 1951. Clare worked locally at New England Controls in Waltham until her retirement.

She was a graduate of the Cardinal Cushing School of Theology for the Laity and a longtime member of Saint Jude Parish in Waltham. She was a former Confraternity of Christian Doctrine teacher, former prefect of the Blessed Virgin Sodality, Eucharistic minister and member of the parish council at Saint Jude's. Clare was also a volunteer for the Bristol Lodge of Waltham for several years.

The wife of the late John J. Cummings, she leaves her daughter, Kathleen M. Gibson and her husband, Greg, of Waltham; her daughter-in-law, Helen Cummings of Hyannis; her grandchildren, Eric Gibson and his wife, Tammy, and Beth Gibson; her great-grandson, Connor Gibson and many nieces and nephews.

Clare was also the mother of the late William T. Cummings and a sister of the late Florence Grant and Albert and William Clark.

Family and friends will honor and remember Clare's life by gathering for calling hours at The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. and again at 10 a.m. on Wednesday morning before leaving in procession to Saint Jude Church, 147 Main Street, Waltham where her Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Burial will be in Saint John's Cemetery, Worcester.

Memorial donations may be made to Operation Smile, 6435 Tidewater Drive, Norfolk, VA 23509.