All posts by Carol Croswell

Mary Elizabeth Alleyne

 

Mary “Beth” Elizabeth (Chandler) Alleyne – age 84, of North Reading, died peacefully at home on June 4, 2025.  She was the beloved wife of Odrick S. Alleyne Jr., with whom she shared 34 years of marriage.  Born on January 19, 1941, at N.E. Hospital for Women & Children of Boston.  She was the daughter of the late James H. and Ruth E. (Caines) Chandler.

She was raised in Everett and was a graduate of Everett High, Class of 1959.   She attended Beth Israel Hospital in Boston, for the School of Nursing.  Where she received her R.N. in 1962.  She worked as a nurse her entire career and retired as a surgical nurse from Lahey Clinic in Burlington.

Beth loved to get pampered with an occasional massage, mani and pedi!  Traveling the world with her husband, entertaining family and friends, playing the slot machines, shopping, couponing, cooking and gardening.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by her daughter, Sonya M. (Watson) Edwards of Saugus; her son, Jason C. Sr. and daughter-in-law Tyneshia R. Alleyne, of Virginia;  her four grandchildren, Stephen K. Jr. and Shelbi M. Edwards; Taylor J. and Jason C. Alleyne Jr.  Beth was also the maiden of the Family, and left a host of cousins.  She was the mother-in-law of the late Stephen K. Edwards Sr.

Beth’s visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading.

In lieu of flowers, the Family requests donations in her memory to the American Diabetes Association, Attn: Service Center P.O. Box 7023 Merrifield, VA 22116-7023.

www.croswellfuneralhome.com

John E. “Jack” Lavacchia

 

John E. “Jack” Lavacchia – 74, of Andover, and formerly of North Reading, passed away on Monday, June 2nd 2025, with his longtime partner Lee Macneil, and daughter Jessie Lavacchia by his side.

Jack was born in Woburn, MA on August 19, 1950, to Gerald J. and Joan (Crawford ) Lavacchia; with brothers and sisters Gerald “Jerry”Lavacchia Jr, William “Billy” Lavacchia, Cheryl “Suzy” Lavacchia, Dawn Marie Donlon, Betsy (and Stephen) Wells, James “Jimmy” Lavacchia (deceased) and Kathy Lavacchia.

Jack graduated from Woburn High School and attended MA State College in Amherst briefly. He was married and divorced from Veronica (O’Brien) Wasak, and had two daughters Patricia Lopez and Joanne Vasapolli. He met Lee Macneil in 1979 and their 46 year love story began, their daughter Jessie Marie Lavacchia was born in 1982.

Jack worked as a bartender at Kitty’s Restaurant in North Reading and at Reading Lumber in North Reading as a clerk. He also worked for many years at Cofer and Associates in gas station and commercial remodeling. Following his retirement he and Lee opened Good Day Flowers in North Reading, and later from their home in Andover. Jack was a member of the Loyal Order of Moose Lodge in North Reading. He was a past member of the New England and the American Rose Society. Jack was a respected Candlepin bowler in his younger days, and appeared on Candlepins for Cash on TV. He enjoyed watching football and Golf on TV, eating chocolate, and also liked crime and cop shows. Jack will be deeply and sadly missed by his siblings, Lee, and daughter Jessie and her husband Kevin Dahill.

Visitation will be held on Friday, June 13 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading.

Anyone wishing to donate in his memory, we suggest The Loyal Order of Moose in North Reading or The Union Congregational Church in North Reading or to the charity of your choice.

www.croswellfuneralhome.com

William J. Berry

William  J.  Berry, – 83, of North Reading, passed away at Tufts Medical Center in Boston on Monday, June 2. 2025.

Born in Winthrop, MA on May 28, 1942, he was the son of the late George and Mary (White) Berry. He was a graduate of Don Bosco High School, Class of 1959.

Bill was a co-owner of Healthcare Television of New England, Inc., installing televisions and nurse call systems in hospitals and nursing homes throughout New England. He was an active member of St. Theresa’s Parish in North Reading for 54 years and was employed as their Property Manager for 20 years. He was a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus, Council No. 4544 and he served as Grand Knight in 1976. Bill was a member of the St. Theresa’s Parish Council,  Hillview Senior Golf League and the Moose Lodge in North Reading. He has been a resident of North Reading for the past 54 years.

Bill was a loving grandfather to his five grandchildren and had a close bond with each of them. He always saw the positive good side of everyone he met and shared an amazing gift of kindness.

He loved to travel with his wife, Sheila. He was an active Boston sports fan. He had a passion for cooking and feeding everyone. He ran spaghetti suppers at St. Theresa’s for 22 years and was still cooking at the Parish breakfasts every month. He enjoyed playing golf, reading and gardening. Bill was a volunteer driver for North Reading rides.

Family members include his loving wife of 55 years, Sheila M. (Parsons) Berry; his son, David W. Berry and wife Jennifer; his daughter, Suzanne M. (Berry) Arcari and her husband Craig; his brother, Paul F. Berry and his late sister, Kathleen Garrant; 5 grandchildren, Marissa Berry and wife Dr. Sarah MacLeod, Jordan Berry and wife Colleen, Ava Arcari, Nicholas Arcari and Sofia Arcari. He leaves behind many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Visitation will be held on Monday, June 9 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. His Funeral Mass will be Celebrated on Tuesday, June 10 at 10:30 AM at St. Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter Street, North Reading. Please go directly to church. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. Memorial donations may be made in his memory to the North Reading Food Pantry.

www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Virginia M. Richardson

Virginia  M. (Smith) Richardson – 64, of North Reading and formerly of Methuen, passed away on Thursday, May 22, 2025, at the Lahey Hospital and Medical Center in Burlington. She was the wife of the late Peter Richardson.

Born in Melrose, MA on August 21, 1960. She was the daughter of the late, John Smith and Janet L. (Pettingill) Smith Richardson.

She was a graduate of Andover High School. Virginia was a retired secretary. She was a loving, kind person who loved children and could always make you laugh. She enjoyed drawing, reading and being with family.

Family members include her brothers, Leonard Smith and the late Kenneth Smith, her sisters; Audrey Anderson, Kim Nadeau and Cheryl Varney and her late stepfather, William Richardson.

Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, June 17, from 6-8 PM at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. In Lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in her memory to the charity of one’s choice.

Agnes M. McDonald

Agnes M. (Arsenault) McDonald – 97, of Brookfield, NH formerly of Andover and Reading MA, died peacefully surrounded by her family on May 29, 2025.

She was born in Reading, MA on March 24, 1928. Agnes was the daughter of the late John and Mary (Doucette) Arsenault and the last survivor of their 10 children. She was raised and attended school in Reading. Agnes was a resident of Brookfield, NH for the past 25 years.

She was the loving wife of the late Joseph “Chuckie” McDonald. Family members include her son Daniel, his late wife Donna, their children and many nieces and nephews.

Agnes along with her late husband, were self-employed builders and designers of homes in Andover and North Reading. She enjoyed collecting antiques, gardening and baking. Agnes loved to tell great stories of days gone by.

Funeral services will be private. There will be no calling hours. Memorial donations may be made in her memory to: cornerstonevna.org/donate or by mail to Cornerstone VNA, 178 Farmington Rd., Rochester, NH 03867.

www.croswellfuneralhome.com