Clare Josephine Ross Tobin

Clare Josephine Ross Tobin (August 13, 1944–November 17, 2023) There was always a place at Clare Tobin’s table. Anyone who was far from their family — or didn’t have one — was welcome, whether it was a major holiday or a weekday night. Maybe it was because she knew what it was like to be far from home. As a young, newly married woman, Clare Tobin and her husband immigrated to Chicago from Ireland in 1972 with two forks, two knives, two spoons, her favorite cookbook and five suitcases of clothing. They got an apartment in Marina City towers, and while they only intended to stay a few years, there was something they loved about Chicago. They raised their three sons — Killian, Malachy and Naoise — on Lakewood Avenue in Edgewater, and it was here that she started working and organizing with her neighbors to make their community better — a passion that would last throughout her life. But let’s begin at the beginning. Clare was born in County Longford, Ireland on August 13, 1944, to Ann and Joseph Ross. She was fourth of seven Ross siblings, and was raised on a cattle farm in the midlands of Ireland. She studied at University College Dublin, graduating in 1968 with a degree in Economics — a choice that was driven by her passion to better understand Irish oppression. Clare moved to London with her future husband, Brian, to get a teaching degree. They married at their mutual alma mater, University College Dublin church, in 1968, and with few jobs in Ireland at that point, they immigrated to Chicago where she build a beautiful life filled with love. Clare was a lifelong learner who loved to take on new challenges and was unafraid of failure. She was brave, strong, rebellious, and never afraid to ask tough questions or be herself. She had deeply held convictions of right and wrong — not only that, she put those beliefs into action. She was an avid member and eventual executive director of the Edgewater Community Council, which connected neighborhood residents, business owners and political leaders. She was adamant that the only way to force societal change is to make sure your voice is heard, whether it’s voting, letter-writing, making phone calls, organizing, attending meetings or hitting the streets to march and protest. And this is how she lived. She spent her time researching issues she felt strongly about, taking detailed notes, making protest signs, showing up, and making her voice heard. She gave her time, energy and money generously and wholeheartedly. She was committed to causes like voter integrity, climate change and women’s rights, but she never forgot it was all about the people who were being impacted. She cared so deeply for other people, whether she knew them or not. While Clare was a serious person who worked tirelessly on big causes, when she laughed, there was nothing better. She loved traveling both the US and abroad, going to art museums, working in her garden, going on walks with friends or picnics at Millenium Park classical music concerts. She was known for her epic annual Christmas letters, which cataloged the year’s highlights, followed by a quick swerve to the state of politics, always accompanied by a slightly blurry family photo. She showed up for everyone she knew, whether it was a friend’s birthday, a grandchild’s baseball game or dance performance, or her own weekly Sunday dinners, where she would spend all day in the kitchen creating a spread of from-scratch dishes that made her family — and anyone who needed a warm place — feel so very, very loved. Clare is preceded in death by her parents, Ann and Joseph Ross, her sister Mary Claffey, and brothers Michael and John. She is survived by her dear sisters Brigid Connaughton, Frances Ross and Ann Ross; her sons Killian, Malachy and Naoise Tobin, her daughters in-law Molly and Elissa; her ex-husband Brian; and her grandchildren Fiona, Declan, Aine and Saoirse Tobin. She was the best mom, mother-in-law and nana ever, and we will miss her terribly. A memorial service for Clare will be held December 2 from 1-4 p.m. at Berger Park Cultural Center (6205 N. Sheridan Road), with a tribute at 3 p.m. Those attending from afar can join us for the tribute via Zoom: https://zoom.us/ Meeting ID: 312 388 7946 Passcode: LoveClare Or https://us06web.zoom.us/j/3123887946?pwd=OmXmBuS6n08nrbx2d3fYJRahvshb9S.1 Memorial contributions may be made in Clare’s honor to Care for Real (careforreal.org), a local organization supporting the Edgewater community.

Clare Josephine Ross Tobin

August 13, 1944 - November 17, 2023

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Clare Josephine Ross Tobin

August 13, 1944 - November 17, 2023

365 Days of Grief Support

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About Us

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