Claire D. Dolan, 98, of Holliston, passed away on Tuesday, September 29, 2026. Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, she was the daughter of the late May (Sauter) and Joseph DeSalvo. She was the loving wife of the late Thomas J. Dolan for 57 years.
Claire was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who loved her family deeply. She combined a scientific mind with an artistic nature. She shared her love of animals and art with her friends and family. Her talents included painting, drawing, knitting, crocheting, and crafts. She also enjoyed the fellowship of others, which included playing cards and Rummikub with her friends.
Claire attained a chemical engineering degree and later became a 7th and 8th-grade science teacher in the Holliston school system, a job she truly loved. Claire’s faith was very important to her, and she was a longtime member of Saint Mary’s Church in Holliston.
She loved to travel and was fortunate to see many places over the years. Antigua was her favorite. She also spent every summer on Cape Cod, where she had many wonderful times with family and friends.
Later in life, Claire lived at The Willows in Westborough, where she was very active and social. She enjoyed the activities and was a past president of the resident association.
Claire is survived by her children, Claire Shahkar and her husband, Mehran, of California; Joan Allard and her husband, Roger, of Hopedale; Deirdre Marsh and her husband, David, of Cape Cod; and Elizabeth Roberts and her husband, Arthur, of Connecticut. She also leaves behind her grandchildren, Shahien Shahkar and his wife Alyson, and their children, Gabriel and Ruby; Lindsey Malouin and her husband Derek, and their children Elexa, Grace and Ella; and Atessa Shahkar and her partner, Russel Rogers. She is predeceased by her sisters-in-law, Mary and Josephine Dolan.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 7th from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at Chesmore Funeral Home of Holliston. www.ChesmoreFuneralHome.com A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, October 8th at 11:00 a.m. at Saint Mary’s Church of Holliston. Burial will follow in the parish cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Dogs and Cats of Antigua, https://www.dogsandcatsofantigua.com/ or to Notre Dame Healthcare Long-Term Care Activities, https://www.notredamehealthcare.org/donate/.
