Claire M. (Shannon) Carvalho, 83, of Mattapoisett passed away Sunday February 19, 2023, after a brief illness. She was the former wife of the late Raymond J. Carvalho.
Born in Fall River, the daughter of the James and Mary (Souza) Shannon, she lived in Fall River and Tiverton before moving to Mattapoisett in 1968. Claire graduated from Durfee High School in 1958 and received a Bachelor of Education degree from Salve Regina University in 1962.
Claire was a teacher at Mt. St. Mary’s Academy in Fall River and Upper Cape Regional High School in Bourne in the 1960’s and early 1970’s. She then was the S.E. Mass. Regional Director for Easter Seals for 25 years from 1973-1998. Claire later was the Director of Development at Nativity Preparatory School in New Bedford from 2005-2022. She had been honored many times for her selfless, giving and caring work and was a highly respected woman in Southeastern Massachusetts and beyond.
Claire loved working in her garden, taking care of her German Shepherds, hosting family get-togethers, and talking politics and life. For years she was an avid runner and walker. She was so proud of her work raising millions of dollars helping children and adults with disabilities live a full life and continued the same role serving low-income young men with very challenging lives pursue such a quality education. Claire was most proud of her four sons and loved them dearly giving them the foundation in life to be successful, caring adults along with leading by example, displaying inspiration and courage needed especially during life’s challenges. She taught them nobody was better than anyone else, to serve others and the greater good, along with respecting people of all races and cultures. Claire lived by Dr. Martin Luther King’s motto “A life well served is a life serving others.” She will be dearly missed by all.
Claire is survived by her four sons, Raymond and wife Sunny of Pinson, AL, Steven and Christopher, both of Mattapoisett, and Jeffrey and his companion Maria of Chula Vista, CA; her daughter-in-law, Carol of Mattapoisett; her siblings, James Shannon of Dartmouth and Carolyn Carvalho of Swansea; nine grandchildren and one great grandchild.
Her funeral will be held on Saturday February 25th at 9 am from the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Route 6, Mattapoisett, followed by her Funeral Mass at St. Anthony’s Church at 10 am. Burial will be in St. Anthony’s Cemetery. Visiting hours will be on Friday February 24th from 2-6 pm. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Nativity Preparatory School, 66 Spring St., New Bedford, MA 02740. For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.
