Laurette M. (Genest) Peffers – 99, of North Reading and formerly of Medford, died at her home on Sunday, June 9, 2019. She was the beloved wife of the late William F. Peffers.
Born in Lawrence, MA on May 26, 1920. She was the daughter of the late Emile and Rose Anne (Dufour) Genest. Laurette was a former LPN at the Green Grove Nursing Home in North Reading. She has been a resident of North Reading for the past 61 years.
Laurette cared for and loved her family, she was very engineering. She enjoyed gardening, bird watching and spending time with her family at Highland Lake in Hillsboro, NH.
Family members include her loving sons, William A. Peffers and Bruce M. Peffers; daughters, Charlene R. Crouch, Katherine Riordan and Elizabeth Benson; brothers, Alfred Genest, the late Paul E. and Robert Genest; late sisters, Germain Fournier and Anita Genest; 11 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be private and are under the direction of the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Barbara Mary (Peterson) Edkins, 88, of North Reading, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her children and granddaughter on Saturday, June 8, 2019.

Barbara was predeceased  by her loving husband, Robert (Bob) J. Edkins, with whom she shared 60 years of marriage.  She is survived by her son, Robert P. Edkins; her daughters, Andrea M. (Edkins) Merabet, and Laurel A. Edkins and Michael W. Spring; her granddaughter, Stephanie M. Merabet; sister, Dr. Astrid O. Peterson, and her daughter, Brigitta E. Peterson; her brother-in-law, Sten H. af Klinteberg; and many nieces and nephews.  She was the loving sister of the late Lila (Peterson) af Klinteberg and Jean (Peterson) Chambers.

Born on September 28, 1930, Barbara was the eldest of four daughters born to Fredrik and Elna (Matson) Peterson.  She was raised and educated in Malden, Massachusetts, graduating from Malden HS in 1948, where she was a member of the National Honor Society.  Barbara was also involved in Rainbow Girls and served as Worthy Advisor for the Malden Assembly.  After high school, Barbara attended the Jackson Von Ladau School of Fashion Design, specializing in women’s fashion.  After 2 years of art school, Barbara was offered an opportunity to join the executive training program at Jordan Marsh’s fashion center, which she loved and where she excelled.  Among her many responsibilities, she helped organize and produce fashions shows.

Barbara married Bob Edkins on September 10, 1955, having met him years prior at the youth group of the Maplewood Baptist Church in Malden, MA.  They lived in Malden as newlyweds and gave birth to their first child, Andrea.  In November 1958, they moved to their home on Pomeroy Road, when the street was first being developed.  In fact, theirs was one of the first homes built.

After having her daughter, Laurel, and son, Robert, and taking time at home to raise her family, Barbara took on a new challenge and started her own Mary Kay business in November 1971.  She mentored her team of women and earned the position of an Independent Mary Kay Sales Director in July 1974.  Barbara earned the use of 4 career cars over her 30 years as a sales director.  In fact, Barbara was the 1^st director to earn the use of the Pink Buick Regal in the state of Massachusetts.  She loved enriching women’s lives through the Mary Kay career opportunity and continued to mentor Mary Kay consultants in her retirement, after having her business for a total of 42 years.  She enjoyed opportunities to travel with her business, sharing wonderful memories and many laughs with her husband & MK friends.  Trips to Acapulco & New Orleans were among her favorites.

While raising her children, Barbara was involved in Campfire Girls.  She served as a Blue Bird, and later a Campfire leader for her daughter, Laurel.  She held weekly meetings for the girls, participated in the annual Russell Stover candy sales, and even took the girls camping at Harold Parker State forest.  Other special memories include annual trips to Maine each summer to visit family and vacations with extended family at the UKTS camp in Pembroke, MA.  Barbara also enjoyed April school vacation car trips with her family, first to Washington, DC, and in later years to Williamsburg, VA; Chapel Hill, NC, and finally Florida.

Barbara especially loved Florida, where she wintered with her husband, Bob, for many years during his retirement.  She enjoyed when her children, granddaughter, sister, Lila, and nieces were able to visit and escape the New England winters.

Barbara had unwavering love and commitment to her family, including her sisters and their children.  She enjoyed the many holidays spent together and was known as the family pie maker.  Barbara made delicious apple & mince pies every Thanksgiving and Christmas, and in later years apprenticed her granddaughter, Stephanie, to carry on the tradition.  Barbara enjoyed playing competitive games of Scrabble, especially with her sisters!  Later in life, she also took an interest in playing dominos and had an incredible record of winning.

Barbara was involved in the League of Women Voters in the early ‘60s and continued to actively follow and discuss politics until the end.  While she was always delighted to hear from her family and friends, they knew better than to call while she was watching her favorite political commentator, Rachel Maddow.

Barbara was gifted in her people skills and knew how to encourage and motivate those she encountered.  She treasured her many friendships and kept in touch with school friends, in addition to the youth group friends (now calling themselves the “Golden Oldies”) where she met Bob.  Barbara was courageous and was not afraid to try new things or to drive practically anywhere.  She was a kind person, a perpetual optimist and always saw the best in everyone.  Barbara had a deep and quiet faith that was displayed in actions, not just words.  She was always gracious and diplomatic when challenges arose.  She will be dearly missed by her family and friends.

Calling hours will be held at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading, on Thursday, June 20 from 5 to 8 p.m.  A funeral service will be held at the Croswell Funeral Home, on Friday, June 21 at 10:30 a.m.  Burial will be at the Riverside Cemetery in North Reading.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Barbara’s memory to: The Mary Kay Foundation (dedicated to eliminating cancers affecting women & fighting domestic violence)  www.marykayfoundation.org or by mail to: The Mary Kay Foundation, P.O.Box 799044, Dallas, TX 75379-9044 or to the charity of your choice. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Charles W. Webb – 89, of North Reading, formerly of Malden and Somerville, died Saturday, June 8, 2019, at the Melrose-Wakefield Hospital.

Born in Boston, MA on March 23, 1930. He was the son of the late Harry W. and Paula (Thiel) Webb. Charlie attended St. Joseph’s Elementary School in Somerville and was a graduate of St. John’s High School in Cambridge, Class of 1948.

Charlie was a truck driver for Barrett and Turner. He was the manager of the Starlight Drive-in in North Reading and the owner of the Andover Spa, from 1979 to 1994.

He has been a resident of North Reading for the past 47 years. He was a member of the Wakefield-Lynnfield United Methodist Church, an active member of the North Reading Masonic Lodge A.F. & A.M. since 1989, the Scottish Rite in Boston, Aleppo Shriners in Wilmington. He was a member of the Advisory Board for the North Reading Assembly No. 103, International Order of the Rainbow for Girls and Leadership Team at the Wakefield-Lynnfield United Methodist Church.

He was known for his sense of humor, he was kind to everyone, he loved to play with his grandchildren and especially great grandchildren. He had an amazing work ethic, was extremely generous with his time and his money. He loved corny jokes and his 4 o’clock Scotch.

Charlie enjoyed coin and stamp collecting, jigsaw puzzles, bird watching, yard work and listening to music. He was an avid Red Sox, Patriot and Bruins sports fan.

Family members include his loving wife of 40 years, Barbara M. (Tilley) Webb; sons, William Webb and his wife Karen, Timothy Webb and his wife Kathy, Edward Wagner and his wife Kathy of Reading; daughters, Patricia (Webb) Meehan and her husband David of Peabody and Diane (Wagner) Greene and her husband John of North Reading; brother of Robert Webb and his wife Marie, the late Harry Webb and late wife Ann, the late Paula Maylor and late husband Sidney; grandchildren, Aaron Greene and wife Erika of North Andover, Kristen (Greene) Prioleau and wife Nakia of Methuen, Jaclyn (Greene) Hollingsworth and husband Adam of Andover, Jennifer and Kaitlyn Wagner, both of Atkinson, NH, Renee (Meehan) Kellett of Lynnfield and Christine (Meehan) Wood and husband Derek of Saugus; and 12 great grandchildren.

Funeral service at the Wakefield-Lynnfield United Methodist Church, 273 Vernon Street, Wakefield on Thursday, June 13 at 10 AM. Calling hours at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading on Wednesday, June 12 from 4 to 8 PM. Burial in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. In lieu of flowers Memorial donations may be made in his memory to the Wakefield-Lynnfield United Methodist Church, 273 Vernon Street, Wakefield, MA 01880. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Edward J. Garbarino – 87, of North Reading, died at his home on Saturday, June 8, 2019, surrounded by his family.

Born in Malden, MA on October 26, 1931, he was the son of the late John A. and Sophia (Rancourt) Garbarino. He was raised in Malden and attended Malden Vocational High School.

Ed served 4 years in the U.S. Navy, followed by 20 years in the U.S. Air Force. He was a U.S. Veteran of the Korean and Vietnam Wars.

After retiring from military service in 1977, Ed worked in Facilities Management, retiring from Boston Edison in 1999.

Ed was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He was a jack of all trades and enjoyed caring for his home and garden, as well as spending time with his family at his summer home. He enjoyed fishing and boating with his children and grandchildren.

Family members include his loving wife of 58 years , Carole  M. (Peacock) Garbarino; sons, Richard B. Garbarino and his wife Maryann of Nashua, NH and Jon D. Garbarino and his wife Kerri of Amherst, NH; his sister, Joan Zaia of Contoocook, NH; late brothers, John A. and Robert J. Garbarino; two grandchildren, Kathleen (Garbarino) Bennett and her husband Nick of N.Y. and Christine (Garbarino) Roth and her husband Capt. Stephen Roth of N.C.; two great grandchildren, Caroline and Anna of N.C.; also many nieces and nephews.

Funeral service at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading on Friday, June 14 at 11 AM. Calling hours will be on Thursday, June 13 from 4 to 7 PM. Burial will be in Puritan Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Peabody. Memorial donations may be made in his memory to American Diabetes Association or to the charity of one’s choice. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Albert  N. Kenrick, Sr.  – 77, of Fort Lauderdale, FL, formerly of Wakefield and North Reading, passed away in his sleep on Sunday, June 2, 2019 at the Sterling Aventura Assisted Living Center in Miami, FL.

Born in Stoneham, MA on March 8, 1942. He was the son of the late Edwin M., Sr. and Hazel A. (Frazer) Kenrick.

Al was a graduate of North Reading High School, Class of 1959. He was a longtime resident of Wakefield, where he was Realtor and the owner of Kenrick Associates.  As a young man Al was the co-owner the Wakefield Barber Shop located on Albion Street.

For the last 20 years he resided in Fort Lauderdale, FL.

Al is survived by his son Albert “Bert” Kenrick, Jr. of Wakefield and his brother Frank W. Kenrick, Sr. and his wife Andrea E. Kenrick of North Reading.  Al was predeceased by his son Todd Kenrick of Wakefield and brother Dr. Edwin M. Kenrick, Jr. of Framingham and Warner, NH.

His funeral will be held at the Union Congregational Church, 148 Haverhill Street, North Reading on Tuesday, June 11 at 10:00 AM. Visitation will be held at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading on Monday, June 10 from 4 to 7 PM. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. Memorial donations may be made in his memory to the charity of one’s choice.  www.croswellfuneralhome.com