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.
