NancyAnn  (Dodge) Brothers – 92, of North Reading, formerly of Brookline, died Sunday, May 12, 2019 at Royal Meadow View in North Reading.

Born in Melrose, MA on November 17, 1927. She was the daughter of the late Paul James “Papa” Dodge, MD and Budgie L. (Whiteside) Dodge.

NancyAnn was a graduate of Fryeburg Academy in Fryeburg, Maine. She worked for many years for the Boston Medical Labs.

She was strong willed loving mother, who gave her all to her family. She was a survivor of Hardship. NancyAnn was a homemaker and she loved sewing and knitting.

Family members include her loving children, David Brothers of Warner, NH, daughter, Cheryl McCann of Haverhill and late son, Steven Brothers; grandchildren, Aaron Brothers of Vista, CA, Daniel Brothers of Laconia, NH, Jeremy McCann of Arlington and a great grandson, Landen Brothers of Laconia, NH.

Services will be private. Arrangements are by the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Wendy  L.  Florence – 45, of Methuen and formerly of North Reading, died Saturday, May 11, 2019 at the Holy Family Hospital in Methuen.

Born in Stoneham, MA on August 8, 1973. She was the daughter of the late Robert E. and Nancy M. (Croswell) Florence. Wendy was raised and attended school in North Reading. She was a graduate of North Reading High School.

Wendy worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant.

Family members include her loving brother, Jeff Florence; sisters, Nancy Lundgren, Trisha Noonan, Marie Delisle, Sandra Florence, Laurie Morse, Holly Delisle, Heidi McMinn, Lynnann and Lynda Florence; also survived by many nieces and nephews; she was the sister of the late Donald Berridge, Michael and Stephen Florence.

Graveside services will be private. Memorial donations may be made in her memory to the charity of one’s choice. Arrangements are by the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

William  Francis  Cavanaugh, age 79, passed away on May 15, 2019 at the Pleasant Valley Nursing Center in Derry, NH. Bill had been a resident of North Reading for 56 years. Born and raised in Reading, he was the son of the late James and Mary (Burke) Cavanaugh. He was predeceased by his loving wife, JoAnn (Wright) Cavanaugh, brothers James, Bernard, Joseph, and Richard Cavanaugh, and sisters Mary Ouellette and Gertrude Doucette.

Bill came from a large Irish Catholic family. He met his wife JoAnn, the love of his life, in high school. He was a family man who enjoyed practical jokes and had a great sense of humor but was always there to support his friends and family.

He was a man of many trades and was an honest hard worker. At the beginning of his career, he worked at a veterinary practice in Wakefield and picked up extra work at his father in-law’s tannery in Beverly. For a while, he became an apprentice plumber in North Reading. He also served as a Special Police Officer for the North Reading Police Department. Eventually he took over his father’s card as a longshoreman at the Boston docks in his late 20’s and ended his career there as a welder many years later.

Bill’s lifestyle was very active, and included bike riding, cross country skiing, white water rafting, Irish music festivals and basketball. He was an active member of the North Reading softball team with his son, Billy.

In retirement, he continued to go to the gym every morning, and still enjoyed dancing with the girls, and golfing with his buddies. Bill was a well-known early bird and was always the first to arrive at a party. He loved spending time with his family and was keenly interested in his grandchildren’s lives.

Bill was a proud, determined and caring man who always put his family first. Those of us who were close to him will always remember a loving friend, brother, uncle, husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

Bill is survived by his daughter Debra Vine and her husband James, his son William Cavanaugh Jr. and his wife Patti, his brother Donald and sisters Ruth Parrin, Barbara Barrett, Patricia O’Donnell, Joan and Carol Cavanaugh and Dorothy O’Keefe, along with his grandchildren Melissa Jackson and her husband Brandon, Kirsten and Kyle Vine, and great-grandson Thomas Enquist. He also leaves numerous nieces and nephews. Bill’s love, wisdom, and humor live on in the faces and voices of those of us who miss him already.

Funeral service at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow St., North Reading on Tuesday, May 21 at 11 AM. Visitation on Monday, May 20 from 5 to 8 PM. Burial at Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. Memorial donations may be made in his memory to the charity of one’s choice. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Brian  E.  Sweetland – 59, of North Reading, died unexpectedly on Sunday, May 12, 2019.

Born in Melrose, MA on November 30, 1959. He was a lifelong resident of North Reading. Brian was a graduate of North Reading High School and a retired truck driver for the Wakefield Concrete Company. He was also a member of the Teamster’s Union, the First Baptist Church in Wakefield and a former member of the First Baptist Church in North Reading.

He was a loving, caring and sensitive son, husband, stepfather, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. He was always willing to help his family and friends with his many talents.

He was a hands-on guy who spent endless hours tinkering with engines, beginning as a young boy at Larkin Lawnmowers. From there his interests grew into a passion for motorcycles and riding; for which his talents were remarkable. He could usually be found outdoors; especially in warm weather when he could enjoy the pool he built with the help of friends and family.

Family members include his loving wife Karen (Sheppard) Sweetland; his daughters Jennifer Curley and Jessica Donaldson and her husband Jared; his parents Ralph “Jack” and Priscilla (Burleigh) Sweetland; his mother-in-law Lorraine Sheppard; his brother Karl Sweetland and his wife Kim; sisters Kristine Sweetland and the late Lissa Sweetland; grandchildren R.J., Jordan Emma, Sydney  and Jack; his niece Gabrielle and nephews Joshua and Tristan; close friends William (Billy) Mitchell, Robert (Bobby) O’Keefe and Charles (Big Daddy) Kilgore; also many, many friends and adored extended family.

Visitation will be held at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading on Sunday, May 19 from 1:00 to 4:00 PM and Monday, May 20 from 10:15 to 11:15 AM, a Funeral Service will start at 11:30 AM. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in his memory to: National Suicide Prevention, hotline@ 1-800-273-TALK (8255). World Suicide Prevention day is Sept. 10, 2019. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Anna  Josephine  Louise (Tryder) Berner – 87, Of Andover, passed away surrounded by her family at her home on Wednesday, May 8, 2019. She was the beloved wife of the late Norman E. Berner.

Born in Chelsea, MA on June 3, 1931, she was the daughter of the late William M. B.  Tryder, Sr. and Annie (Flavin) Tryder. Anna was a graduate of Chelsea High School. She has been a resident of Andover for the past 52 years. She was a homemaker, was a dedicated wife, mother and grandmother and was affectionately called Nana by many.

Anna made everyone feel special and always had a smile. She loved being surrounded by extended family and enjoyed attending her grandchildren’s sports games. Anna loved spending summers at Keoka Beach for 53 years with her siblings and families.

Family members include her loving sons, Norman E. Berner, Jr., Stephen X. Berner and his wife Maria and her daughter, Lisa Layman and her husband Rob, all of Andover; loving sister of Robert C. Tryder of Reading, the late Dorothy, William, John, Mildred, James, Evelyn and Irene; 5 loving grandchildren, Matthew (19), Abigail (17), Andrew (16) and Patrick Layman (14) and Jacqueline Berner (13); many loving nieces and nephews.

Her funeral will be held from the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading on Wednesday, May 15 at 8:30 AM, followed by a 10:00 AM Funeral Mass at St. Augustine’s Church, 43 Essex Street, Andover. Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, May 14 from 4:00 to 8:00 PM. Burial will be in Woodend Cemetery in Reading. Memorial donations may be made in her memory to the charity of one’s choice. www.croswellfuneralhome.com