Claire H. (Russell) Megan, beloved wife of the late Thomas F. Megan and longtime resident of Wellesley, passed away peacefully Tuesday, June 20. She was 91.

A devoted mother of six and grandmother of nine, Claire was known for her great kindness, caring, compassion, wit and for that sparkle in her eye.

Whether you were a friend or family member, you knew that you could confide in Claire, that she would listen closely and respond with insight and wisdom. The world was always a better place after talking with Claire.

Claire grew up in Watertown, the daughter of the late John M. and Louise Russell. Like her father, she had perfect pitch and musical gifts that helped her to play the piano by ear and to change keys adeptly. Her favorite key, however, was always C sharp.

At the age of 12, Claire met Tommy Megan, a year older, in her ballroom dancing class. The two were smitten and as the years went by, they were inseparable.

Claire graduated from Regis College where she earned a degree in sociology and soon after married Tom as he headed off to the U.S. Navy.

By the time she was 30, she and Tom had five children and soon a sixth. Later, when her children became parents they wondered how she managed to keep her loving patience with so many small children.

"I must have been out of my mind," she would laugh.

Those were busy years, filled with shuttling kids to hockey and baseball practices, piano and guitar lessons, theater practices, attending League of Women Voters meetings and the endless cycle of cooking, cleaning and washing clothes.

She and Tom forged a high-spirited happy family, sharing with their children the joys of music, theater, skiing, Cape Cod beaches, fried clams and Brigham's ice cream, especially coffee frappes.

Her children well remember her tender touch as each day after school, she would ask each one, "How was your day?" And she would listen as if nothing else mattered.

At times, when their behavior went off the rails, and they sat wretched, crying, Claire would suggest, "Let's just start again." A gentle absolution.

Claire and Tom were devoted Catholics. As longtime members of St. John the Evangelist in Wellesley, they regularly delivered meals to the Pine Street Inn in Boston and considered a trip to the Holy Land a high point in their lives together.

They also joined activists who fought to have the Church held accountable for crimes it had long hidden. Claire even once appeared -- to the surprise of her children – on the front page of the Boston Globe protesting outside the Cathedral of the Holy Cross.

In the '60s and '70s, as the world changed for women, Claire nimbly adjusted.

With a move from Watertown to Worcester and five of her children in school, Claire went to Worcester State College for a master's degree in education.

While wrangling children and housework, Claire wrote term papers on the dining room table and headed off to evening classes after her husband got home.

The family moved to Wellesley in 1974 and Claire began a job with the Belmont schools. She worked for almost 20 years in several different elementary schools and gained a reputation as an exceptionally good elementary guidance counselor.

A school principal once wrote that Claire could serve "as the prototype" for an "outstanding elementary guidance counselor" and praised her "calm, wise understanding and good judgment."

She developed strong relationships with her colleagues who remained dear friends for life.

In retirement, Claire became a dedicated nine-holer at the Weston Golf Club playing with a network of close friends. She golfed into her late 80s and was a member of a choir, two bridge clubs and penned letters to legislators supporting gun control.

She was also an avid reader and belonged to two book clubs. "Her insightful intellect often made us wonder if we read the same book," one friend said.

She and Tom enjoyed the freedom of their retired life, traveling, attending all of their grandchildren's games, concerts, recitals and frequently taking last minute trips to the beach.

On Claire's 80th birthday, a few dozen of her women friends and family gathered -- all seemed to think Claire was their best friend. They told stories of Claire turning up at their home with shrimp dinners or chicken dishes just when they needed it most, or with thoughtful gifts and supportive notes.

As one of her friends said of Claire, "When you were in her presence, you were always the only person in the room."

To know Claire was to have her in your corner. No one knew that more than her children and their partners. She was always understanding, never directive, always encouraging and loving. She was always ready to help.

When her beloved Tom died in 2019, she drew closer still to her children. She shared with them her sorrow, but also her continued strength and joy in life.

As the funeral procession for Tom set off for the cemetery, Claire had one request of her six children, all sitting near her in a single car, "Will you take me to the beach?"

Fittingly, her funeral will take place on her wedding anniversary, June 27. It would have been 70 years. Her family would like to think they are together again.

The family would like to thank staff of Pines Edge Health Center, FirstLight Home Care and Good Shepherd Hospice for their kind help during the last months of Claire's life.

Claire leaves her children, Kathleen Megan and her husband Peter Pach of Middle Haddam, CT; Tom Megan and his wife Diane Edgecomb of Jamaica Plain; Jack Megan of Concord; Robert Megan and his wife Carrie, of Wellesley; Carolyn Megan and her partner, Michael Gelsanliter of Portland, ME; and David Megan and his wife, Wendy Millette of Concord.

She leaves nine grandchildren, Nell Pach, Sam Pach (fiancé Aida Roman), Matthew Megan, Claire Megan, Emma Megan, Cal Megan, Evan Megan, Kate Megan and Ben Megan, as well many nieces and nephews.

She also leaves her beloved brother, John Russell and his wife, Marilyn of Indian Hill, Florida.

She was pre-deceased by her loving sisters, Marie Diamond and Eleanor Craig Green, and by her beloved daughter-in-law Sarah Gray Megan. Her parents and step mother, Florence Russell, also pre-deceased her.

Friends and family are invited to a celebration of her life with a wake scheduled from 4 to 7 p.m. on Mon., June 26 at Henry J. Burke & Sons Funeral Home, 56 Washington St. in Wellesley. A Mass celebrating her life will be held at 10 a.m. on Tues., June 27, at St. John the Evangelist Church, 9 Glen Street, Wellesley, MA. Burial at Woodlawn Cemetery in Wellesley will follow.

Donations may be made to Rosie's Place and the Pine Street Inn, both in Boston.