Obituary of Raye E Mahoney

Raye E (Claffey) Mahoney, 83, of Peabody and formerly of Lynn, died peacefully Wednesday afternoon surrounded by her family at her home following a brief illness. She was the devoted wife of Lewis R. Mahoney with whom she shared over 59 years of marriage. Born in Lynn, she was the daughter of the late Charles and Lorena (Kelly) Claffey. She was raised and educated in Lynn and Salem and has spent the last 56 years living in Peabody. She was a graduate of Salem State Teachers College and was a Newman Club President while in college. She taught 5th grade at the Pickering School in Salem for 5 years before she started her family. Once her children were school age, she began teaching music at Our Lady of the Assumption School in Lynnfield. For the past 45 years she was the organist at St. Ann’s Church in Peabody for their weekend Masses and for their funeral and wedding Masses as well. She also played the organ for funeral Masses at St. Pius V Church in Lynn during the week and over the years had filled in for many other churches on the North Shore. Besides her loving husband, Raye is survived by her son Matthew Mahoney of Peabody, her two daughters, Nancy Jane Mahoney of Peabody and Amy and her husband Paul Hynes of FL, her sister-in-law, Barbara Korper of CT, and by her nieces and nephew, David, Megan, Lorena, Maureen, Pamela, Kara, and Jane. She was predeceased by her sisters, Nancy Kelley and Jane Claffey and her sister-in-law, Joan Ophel. Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, January 6 at 11:00 AM at St. Ann’s Church, Lynn St., Peabody. Please arrive at the church by 10:30 AM to be seated properly prior to the Mass. Due to the Covid-19 virus, there will be no visiting hours. All attendees are required to wear facial coverings and maintain social distancing as well. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Lynn. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to St. Ann’s Church, 140 Lynn St, Peabody, MA 01960.