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Claire Hackett Obituary
Claire grew up in Bray, County Wicklow and moved to America as a young woman living briefly in Chicago before settling in San Francisco. She and Jerry lived in the Sunset District where they raised their three children. Claire worked for San Francisco Unified School District and then owned a business selling pumpkins and Christmas trees. She was affectionately known as Mrs. Pumpkinhead, a title she embraced with her customary flair for performance. A charter member of the United Irish Cultural Center, Claire also served as President of the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians and as the San Francisco Film Commissioner. Always charismatic and charming, she loved to perform. From plays at the Irish Center to stand up comedy at the VA hospital she always enjoyed entertaining a crowd. Claire was a kind, generous, courageous woman who lived a great life devoted to her family and friends.
Visitation for family and friends will begin at 5 p.m. and the Rosary will be held at 7 p.m. on Sunday, January 24th at Holy Name of Jesus Church, 3240 Lawton Street, (corner of 39th Ave and Lawton), San Francisco. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, January 25th also at Holy Name of Jesus Church. The Committal will follow at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery, 1500 Old Mission Road, Colma. Donations may be made to St. Anne's Home, (Little Sisters of the Poor), 300 Lake Street, San Francisco, Ca. 94118 in memory of Claire Hackett.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Claire Hackett
Sponsored by Duggan's Serra Mortuary - Daly City.
Heather
January 15, 2024
Another year has passed and again I am grateful for the reminder. I think of her very often, as one of the best friends I ever knew. Blessings to her family and friends.
Heather Folsom
January 15, 2023
It is nice to get an annual reminder of Claire. Early on I was fortunate enough to be present for her wonderful performance of Molly Bloom's soliloquy from James Joyce's Ulysses in Palo Alto. Later I brought many friends to a second presentation in San Francisco. One of my friends was a James Joyce scholar. He said that Claire's rendering was the most brilliant and nuanced performance of the material that he had ever seen.
Beda Courtny
January 15, 2022
How could we ever forget Claire's performance of Mazie Madigan in the Irish Theatre production of Juno and the Paycock. May she be dreaming of Mazie as we knew her.
Heather Folsom
June 1, 2016
Of course you all know how wonderful a person Claire was, so I won't go into it very much. I am planning to come to San Francisco this summer and had hoped to visit her. When she didn't answer a phone message or e-mail, on a guess, just now, I googled her name. I am very sorry to lose such a strong, vibrant, funny, generous, brilliant, and all-around great friend. She is irreplaceable. On the other hand, I feel blessed that I got to know her. My sincere condolences to the family My email, if anyone would like to get in touch with me, is [email protected].
Carmita L. Grunnet
February 14, 2016
Although I never was privileged to meet your mother, Anne, she sounds like a very special and loving person.
When I met you in Oklahoma I instantly agreed with my daughter, Erika, you are one-of-a-kind and now I know why.
As a mother I dream that people will meet my Erika and identify special qualities innate to her but nurtured by me...after reading your mother's eulogy, I can see she nurtured the best of you and the best of her and she'll continue to spread her unique qualities as people interact with you.
I know there's only one mother for each of us but I'd be honored to share your special memories with you, anytime.
My deepest sympathy and prayers are with you and your family at this time
Carmita Grunnet (Erika's mom)
Breda Courtney
January 27, 2016
My condolences to Claire's family. I knew Claire for many years. I am from Blackrock. Co. Dublin very near to Bray. Co. Wicklow which was Claire's home town. I had the great pleasure of performing with her in Sean O'Casey's play Juno and the Paycock which played in San Francisco and Berkeley. played Juno and Claire played Maizie Madigan. And although I have seen that play many times including at the Abbey in Dublin I have never seen a better Maizie Madigan than Claire was. And she sang the song "If I were a Blackbird" with felling and great musicality.
Claire had great spirit and enthusiasm, and the world is less without her.
January 25, 2016
Unfortunately, I found out about Claire's death too late to attend the mass. I remember Claire from my connection with the Irish Cultural Center and things Irish. She was a great comedian and I loved her performances with Nicky O'Brien. Her humor and generous spirit will be missed by all who knew her.
Claudia O'Callaghan
Larry Leathers
January 24, 2016
My sincere sorrow to the Hackett family.
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