Claire A. Mullan

Claire Ann Mullan (nee Gallagher), 75 Haddon Township and Avalon, NJ.

On Good Friday, April 3rd, Claire Mullan passed away peacefully, with dignity and completely covered by the love of her family and God following a lengthy, hard-fought, courageous battle with pulmonary fibrosis.

Claire was raised in Southwest Philadelphia and was a 1957 graduate of West Catholic Girls High School. She formerly resided in Glenolden, PA, Churchville, PA and Haddonfield, NJ. She was predeceased by her parents John and Dorothy Gallagher and brothers Jack Gallagher and Neil Gallagher. Claire was the beloved wife of her husband Jim Mullan and wonderful, loving mother of Anne (Jeff) Mallgrave of Westmont, Jackie (Keith) Heyser of Westmont, Jim Mullan of Avalon, NJ, Laura (Dean) DeCencio of Haddonfield, NJ and Jennifer (Andrew) Davenport of Stone Ridge, NY. She was the adoring and adored mom-mom of Alyssa, Ryan, Tim and Jack Mallgrave; Tyler, Jake and Olivia Heyser; Sam, Teddy, Claire and Genevieve DeCencio; and Will, Aidan and Jackson Davenport, each one of whom brought her incredible joy, pride and laughter.

Claire is also survived by her loving sisters and brother-in-laws Virginia (Charles) Bittle and Joanne (Robert) Marley, and brother and sister-in-laws Dan and Genie Mullan, Jean Clancey, Bill and Teresa Mullan, the late Kathleen Sammons, and many loving, caring nieces and nephews. She was blessed with dear friends Diane McGonagle, Barbara McKeaney, Joann Maguire, Diane Kerrigan and Beth Stefano, who were all so good to her, as well as numerous other friends who shared good times and much laughter over the years.

Claire had many interests and passions. She loved quilting and sewing, crafting, gardening, travelling, the beach and the bay, playing scrabble and Words with Friends, reading, music and conversations. Claire's idea of a good time was a gathering of family and friends as well as strangers, especially at her home in Avalon. She had an open house as well as an open heart and loved creating a warm, comfortable home so that all would feel welcome and cared for. She was gracious to all and loved welcoming "strangers" into her home, who would quickly become new friends. She judged no one and believed every person to be good in the eyes of God and lived her life this way. As she said repeatedly in her final days, Claire had an incredibly blessed life filled with the overwhelming love of family and friends. We are grateful for the many people who visited, called, wrote and prayed for her throughout her six year long illness -- you truly lighted her burden as she fought so hard every day. Our family was, and will always be, incredibly blessed by her deep, fierce, protective love for us which was her reason for fighting so hard each day to live. We will forever miss her more than words can say.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her visitation Thursday from 7 to 9pm at JACKSON FUNERAL HOME, 308 Haddon Ave., Haddon Township, NJ and Friday from 9:30 to 10:30 am at Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Parish HOLY SAVIOUR CHURCH, 50 Emerald Ave., Westmont, NJ. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 am.

Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Red Cross, Disaster Relief (redcross.org) or Sacred Heart School, 4th and Jasper Streets, Camden, NJ (sacredheartsschoolcamden.org). There will be a basket at the visitations to place memories or thoughts you might like to share.