Mary Clare Conlon

July 14, 1952
June 20, 2024

Mary Clare Conlon Obituary

Mary Clare Conlon, 71, died on Thursday, June 20, 2024 at Temecula Valley Hospital following a heart attack.

She was the beloved daughter of Martin J. Tierney and Karline K. Tierney; loving sister of Martin J. Tierney, Jr. of Hagerstown, MD and his late wife, Constance; brother of the late Karl J. Tierney; and dear aunt of Martin J. Tierney, III and Paul Logan Tierney. Mary Clare is also survived by her godson, Luke Karl, and many loving cousins and friends.

Mary Clare was born in Connecticut on July 14, 1952. Her early years were spent with her family in Connecticut and Louisiana. She found her forever home in California when in 1971 she arrived in San Francisco to attend Lone Mountain College. Here is where she met a group of friends that would become her west coast family. She moved to Los Angeles and pursued her interest in entertainment and the audiovisual arts at California State University-Northridge where she achieved a Bachelor of Arts degree in Radio-Television Broadcasting. Her career was impressive and she spent 30 years working in her chosen field managing and coordinating all aspects of sound restoration. Her work was highly valued at Visual Data Media Services, Walt Disney World and Technicolor Sound Services. When she retired, she relocated to Temecula, California in 2021 where she joined close friends and made new friends.

She brought a bright light into our lives. An excellent swimmer, in her earlier years Mary Clare learned to scuba dive and explore the beauty of the ocean, which gave her joy. The outdoors often beckoned to her and she was happy exploring nature, camping out and cooking simple meals over a campfire. When cavorting in the waves and bodysurfing, she felt a strong affinity for dolphins. Her spirit was curious and adventurous and she often said “yes” to the unknown.

Mary Clare was a creative individual who enjoyed entertaining her friends. Throughout her life she played an assortment of musical instruments starting out with the flute in grade school. She loved to dance and sing. In the last week of her life, when a musician scheduled to play at her retirement home cancelled at the last minute, she rose to the occasion. Without batting an eye, she played her ukulele and sang “Amazing Grace” to entertain the residents. Her taste in music was eclectic with some of her favorites being rock and roll, bluegrass and country. She could belt out a mean version of “Stand by Your Man” while strumming her ukulele.

Mary Clare was a puzzler and a lover of board games as well as an extremely competitive gamer. When it came to picking teams for charades, cornhole or any game requiring more than one player, her friends vied to have her on their team. At Highgate, she became the anointed cornhole champion. She loved to win!

She was a loyal friend; complicated, caring, charming and intelligent. Mary Clare had a reflective and introspective side and explored her spirituality through different avenues.

In December 2019, she was predeceased by Mike Rowland, her partner of 20 years. She was a source of comfort and support in his last years as he struggled to overcome a cancer diagnosis. During their decades together they enjoyed a companionable and loving relationship. She loved to cook delicious dinners for Mike and relax with him as they shared their lives and stories. Mary Clare maintained her sense of humor and her independence when her later years presented health and aging challenges.

Mary Clare loved well and was well loved. Her loss will be deeply felt by her friends and family. Our memories of her unique spirit and friendship will be a living legacy for years to come.

The family thanks Mary Clare’s friends, Mary Lavinia Roth, Bob and Jane Grant and Joe and Barbara Bella, for their loving devotion and support in the final years and days of her life.

A memorial and burial service will be held at a future date at New Saint Josephs Cemetery, 945 Hamilton Avenue, Waterbury CT 06706.

Tribute Wall

Kristin Brin
Darling, fun, lovely Mary may God rest your beautiful soul. Love always and forever,Kristin
August 7 / 2024
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Evelyn Garcia
I worked with Mary. Great sense of humor . One day she brought her ukulele to work and played. Mary will be missed. Here is a little photo of Mary when we were working.
July 22 / 2024
Billy bob Karl
Mary Clare was a great friend of my wife, Mary Lavinia and a friend to our whole family. She was the God Mother to our son Luke. She would come to visit us sometimes for three days or more and we would have great dinners, and games. The kids thought of her as an aunt. We miss her and love her, and she will always be in our hearts and memories.
July 16 / 2024
Susan Lenti
I knew and loved Mary Clare for many years! She was always a delight! Great sense of humor and great laugh! The boys loved her!!! We shared many great moments together ❤️ God bless her and her family. May she rest in PowerA
July 14 / 2024
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Mary Lavinia
We met when we were 18 years old, on the cusp of adulthood. Youthful years of ongoing adventure and misadventure forged a lifetime friendship. So many memories accumulated over 54 years. I miss you already. Life without you will lose a bit of sparkle. Tomorrow is Bastille day and most importantly your birthday. Happy Birthday Clare , Sister of my heart. You are Stardust now. On moonless nights I will see you shimmer and remember all the love and the good times.
July 13 / 2024
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Barbara Bella
Here's a photo of Mary and Mike. They could never fit into a mold but they were 2 peas in a pod. :) May your light always shine on.
July 6 / 2024
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Poki Olson
countless conversations and good bottle of wine..with memories lasting forever with words never getting in the way...will be missed by all who knew her..........
July 6 / 2024
Carole Chanler
Mary playing board games, card games, brain games. She was sharp and competitive, fun and uninhibited. She could be hilariously over the top, and distressingly frustrating. She was beautiful. Her force and spark never dwindled. Neither will memories of her for the life long friends who loved her.
July 6 / 2024
Mary Guthrie
My memories of Mary Clare are filled with great joy. She was an inspiration to me with getting into yoga and even trying a bit of gymnastics. Fun times. Although many years ago feels like yesterday God bless my dear friend.
July 6 / 2024

Tribute Wall

The obituary has no messages

Tribute Wall

Kristin Brin
Darling, fun, lovely Mary may God rest your beautiful soul. Love always and forever,Kristin
August 7 / 2024
ThumbnailLarge (3)
Evelyn Garcia
I worked with Mary. Great sense of humor . One day she brought her ukulele to work and played. Mary will be missed. Here is a little photo of Mary when we were working.
July 22 / 2024
Billy bob Karl
Mary Clare was a great friend of my wife, Mary Lavinia and a friend to our whole family. She was the God Mother to our son Luke. She would come to visit us sometimes for three days or more and we would have great dinners, and games. The kids thought of her as an aunt. We miss her and love her, and she will always be in our hearts and memories.
July 16 / 2024
Susan Lenti
I knew and loved Mary Clare for many years! She was always a delight! Great sense of humor and great laugh! The boys loved her!!! We shared many great moments together ❤️ God bless her and her family. May she rest in PowerA
July 14 / 2024
ThumbnailLarge (2)
Mary Lavinia
We met when we were 18 years old, on the cusp of adulthood. Youthful years of ongoing adventure and misadventure forged a lifetime friendship. So many memories accumulated over 54 years. I miss you already. Life without you will lose a bit of sparkle. Tomorrow is Bastille day and most importantly your birthday. Happy Birthday Clare , Sister of my heart. You are Stardust now. On moonless nights I will see you shimmer and remember all the love and the good times.
July 13 / 2024
ThumbnailLarge (1)
Barbara Bella
Here's a photo of Mary and Mike. They could never fit into a mold but they were 2 peas in a pod. :) May your light always shine on.
July 6 / 2024
ImageLarge
Poki Olson
countless conversations and good bottle of wine..with memories lasting forever with words never getting in the way...will be missed by all who knew her..........
July 6 / 2024
Carole Chanler
Mary playing board games, card games, brain games. She was sharp and competitive, fun and uninhibited. She could be hilariously over the top, and distressingly frustrating. She was beautiful. Her force and spark never dwindled. Neither will memories of her for the life long friends who loved her.
July 6 / 2024
Mary Guthrie
My memories of Mary Clare are filled with great joy. She was an inspiration to me with getting into yoga and even trying a bit of gymnastics. Fun times. Although many years ago feels like yesterday God bless my dear friend.
July 6 / 2024