M. Eleanor C. (Colburn) Clapp Lowry, age 98, of Braintree, formerly of Admiral’s Hill in Chelsea, Brookline, Boston, Cambridge, and Somerville, died peacefully, Saturday, October 11, 2025 at the Pat Roche Hospice Home in Hingham, in the comfort of her loving family.

Eleanor was born in Boston to the late Walter S. and Edna M. (Briggs) Colburn. Raised and educated in Cambridge, she was a graduate of Cambridge High and Latin, Class of 1945. She later earned her Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Boston University’s Metropolitan College in 1978 and at age 60 her Master’s degree in Liberal Studies from Boston University in 1988. She also took numerous courses in management and human relations through various hospital programs.

In 1963, at the age of thirty-six, Eleanor began a twenty-five-year career at the New England Deaconess Hospital where she was employed in Administration, Public Relations, and Patient and Family Relations.

After her retirement in 1987, Eleanor continued her service at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center as a volunteer and Overseer Emeritus. Eleanor was past president of the Friends of the Deaconess and the New England Deaconess Hospital’s 901 Club. Later, she served briefly as Executive Vice President of the Friends of the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and continued to volunteer as a surgical liaison, having done so since 1990.

She was a former member of the Boston Rotary Club and for many years was club secretary.

Eleanor was a longtime active member and volunteer at Christ Church of Boston, popularly known as “the Old North Church” where she made many friendships. She served seven years on the Vestry and over ten years on the board of the Old North Foundation.

She enjoyed dancing, walking, and traveling, and over sixty years visited seventeen countries, forty-five states, including Alaska and Hawaii, and frequently made winter trips to Florida. Eleanor collected Hummels, decorative plates, and Sebastian Miniatures, and later in life began building an elaborate dollhouse that reflected her life and family.

It was to her family that Eleanor was most devoted, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, supporting all their many activities and accomplishments.

Eleanor was proud to have had two thirty-year marriages, first to the late Robert V. Clapp and in 1979 to the late Robert D. Lowry, former CEO of the New England Deaconess Hospital.

Devoted mother of David V. Clapp and his wife Mary of Cincinnati, Ohio, Gail C. Wood and her husband Don of Pownal, Vermont, and Craig A. Clapp of Quincy and his late wife Valerie.

Loving grandmother of Elizabeth Clapp, Rebecca Logan and her husband Zachary, Rachel Clapp, and Tristan H. Clapp and his wife Krystle.

Cherished great-grandmother of Sophia, Eleanor, Lilah, Miles, Natalie, Madison, Nick, and Hunter.

The last living of four, Eleanor was predeceased by her siblings Gwendolyn, Walter, and Janice.

She also leaves three stepsons and many nieces, nephews, and their families.

Eleanor chose to donate her remains to Harvard Medical School. A memorial service will be announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Eleanor’s memory may be made to Old North Church, 193 Salem Street, Boston, MA 02113 or Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Office of Philanthropy, 529 Main Street, 4th Floor, Charlestown, MA 02129.