Claire Marie Anderson, 88, formerly of Weston, Concord, Lincoln, Plymouth, MA, Norwalk, CT, and Gainesville, FL, died in Acton, on Sunday, November 26, 2017, after an extended illness. Born in Medford on July 17, 1929, Claire Deacon attended Arlington High School where she was a diligent student, athlete and spirited cheerleader. Love blossomed quickly after handsome Bob "Andy" Anderson returned from the Army to finish his degree at MIT. On a sunny January 15, 1949, family and friends gathered at Arlington's Church of Saint Agnes to witness as Robert F. Anderson and Claire Marie Deacon took their wedding vows. The grand adventure that was to be their 54-year marriage began modestly in the student barracks at MIT. During their first twelve years, she and Bob had eight children: Robert C. of Mashpee, John T. of Olive Branch, MS, William D. of Berlin, Carol A. Fessler of Winnetka, IL, Susan M. Blaine of Spicewood, TX, Linda M. St. Francis of Carlisle, David H. of Groton and Claire M. A. Seibly of Mill Valley, CA. During this time they moved eight times among five eastern states as Bob's career demanded. While they would continue to move another eight times before Bob's death in 2002, Massachusetts would always call them home. Undaunted by the many challenges of managing her large mobile family, Claire gave her all to providing her children the best possible education and start in life. An avid reader, she taught herself all the skills and talents required. In 1974 Claire achieved her own dream of going to college as she earned an RN degree at the nursing program of Newton-Wellesley Hospital. Her caring nature and love of art, music and dancing was evident to all who knew her. She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry Leo and Marie Adele Boutin Deacon, and her two brothers, Charles H. and John L. Deacon. She is survived by her eight children, 21 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. Visiting hours are on Thursday, November 30th from 4 to 8 pm at the Dee Funeral Home, 27 Bedford Street, Concord Center. A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, December 1st at 11 am at St. Joseph Church, 142 Lincoln Road, Lincoln. Interment will follow at Lincoln Cemetery. Contributions in her memory may be made to St. Jude's Children's Fund, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.