LYNN — Margaret Claire (Scanlon) McCulley, age 93, Life-long of Lynn, passed away in NSMC – Salem Hospital on Friday, Sept. 23, 2016. Born in Lynn on June 19, 1923, she was the daughter of the late James Joseph Scanlon and Elizabeth (Hyde) Scanlon. Claire was raised and educated in Lynn and was a graduate of Lynn Classical High School. She married James. L. McCulley on Jan. 18, 1947 and the couple settled in Lynn to begin their family.
While James was serving our country during World War II, Claire took employment with GE, as so many women did during that time, to help the war effort. During their early years, Claire and Jim enjoyed dancing at the Knights of Columbus and traveling. Later on in life, Claire served as an administrative assistant in St. Mary’s Church in Lynn and then at Lynn English High School.
Claire was an avid and active golfer. She and her friends traveled and played courses throughout the area; her favorite being Lakeview Golf Course in Wenham.
She enjoyed the Lynn Item, reading it from beginning to end every day, as well as reading biographies, knitting, swimming and theatre. A little known fact was that Claire had an artistic flair and made impressive free-hand drawings. Her many trips to Maine to her daughter’s vacation lake-house were special.
Most of all, Claire relished the time spent with her daughter and her family particularly both of her grandchildren. From birth, to babysitting, to basketball games, to graduation, to Broadway theatre, to engagements, she never missed a moment of their lives. She enjoyed sharing her passion for the Red Sox, Patriots, and Celtics with her grandchildren when they were home, or on the phone or with Facetime. No one but her grandchildren was to disturb her when the game was on!
Claire is survived by her daughter; Janice DeAngelis and her husband, Ralph of Lynn, her grandchildren; Matthew DeAngelis and Meredith DeAngelis, her siblings; Jack Scanlon and his wife, Pat of Lynn, Elinor Carroll of Lynn, and Mary DeRoo of Peabody.
She maintained a special relationship with her niece, Joan Lawrence, her cousin, Gussie Collins of Lynn, and daughter Marsha Borgman of Manchester-By-The-Sea.
Service information: Funeral from the CUFFE-McGINN Funeral Home, 157 Maple St., Lynn, on Friday, Sept. 30, 2016 at 9:30 a.m., followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Mary’s Church, 8 So. Common St., Lynn, at 10:30 a.m. Burial will follow in St. Mary Cemetery, Lynn. Visiting Hours will be held in the funeral home on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2016 from 4-7 p.m. For online guest book, please visit: Cuffemcginn.com