Debra Lynn (Van Wie) Govostes – 57, from Eden, New York; Cheshire, CT and North Reading, MA, passed away on Tuesday, February 5th, after a prolonged battle with cancer.  She lived in Mount Pleasant, SC for the past 3 years.

Deb was predeceased by her parents, Donald and Phyllis Van Wie of Cheshire, CT.  Deb is survived by her children, Nicholas and Marina, aged 21, and her siblings and their spouses:  Daniel Van Wie, Sergio & Dawn (Van Wie) Deganis, Douglas & Sharon Van Wie, and Donald Van Wie, Jr., all from CT and her beloved nieces and nephews:  Ryan, Haley, Alexandra, Marisa, Julie, Mark, Justin, John, Meghan, Jake, Claire and Matthew.  She also leaves behind several dear friends from NY, CT and MA.

Calling hours will be held at Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading, MA on Friday, March 8th from 4:00 -7:00 P.M.  A memorial service is planned for her at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 235 Park Street, North Reading, MA, on March 9th at 2:00 PM, where she and her children were members.

Deb will be remembered as a loving mother, loyal friend, accomplished attorney, beloved sibling, and most especially, as a fun-loving, compassionate and generous soul that touched many lives and enjoyed many close and life-long friendships.

Deb had a love for travel and a deep love for her four-legged children:  Max, Jake, Buddy, Bear and Bella. In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation may be made in her name to the ASPCA or American Cancer Society. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

 Estelle (Sanford) Weir, 91, passed away peacefully in Newburyport, MA on February 20, 2019 surrounded by her loving family.

Born on September 11, 1927 in Boston, MA, Estelle was the only child of devoted and loving parents, Helen and Clayton Sanford. She was raised in Greenwood on Oak Street next door to her loving grandparents and great-grandparents, where she gained a love of flowers and artwork. Estelle attended high school at Cushing Academy in Ashburnham, MA and loved her summers on Cape Cod.

Estelle was the former wife of the late William N. Weir. In 1955, she settled in North Reading where she lived and raised a wonderful family. Her life was full: she was an antique dealer, artist, quilter, avid reader and crossword puzzle enthusiast. She loved music, books, crows, flowers and nature. At age 60, she earned a degree in anthropology from Brandeis University.

Preceding her in death was her soulmate, Gene Martineau, who shared her love of nature, antiques and art.

She will be remembered by her eight children and their spouses: William Weir (Haekyung), Thomas Weir (Aida), Diane Weir (Michael), Carolyn Tabaie, Patricia Ketabchi, Anita Knapp (Carl), Terence Weir (Lori) and Jonathan Weir (Jill).  She also leaves behind 15 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren whom she loved dearly.

The family would like to acknowledge Avita of Newburyport. Their expert care, kindness, and love brought her and her family the peace needed in her final years. We would also like to acknowledge Terry Bridgewood, her caretaker and friend, who spent countless hours visiting and caring for our mother.

Our mother, an old soul, always said she had a wonderful life, and so we are left with bountiful memories, her wisdom, and the joy of having her with us for 91 years.

Visitation for family and friends will be held at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading, MA on Friday, February 22, 2019 from 4:00 – 7:00 pm. A private burial service will take place on Saturday, February 23, 2019 at Lakeside Cemetery in Wakefield, MA

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, National Audubon Society, The Nature Conservancy, or an organization of your choice. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Chris J. March, 58, of North Reading passed away on February 2^nd, 2019.

Born on July 15^th, 1960 in Bournemouth, England, Chris grew up in Surrey and attended Kingston College then City University of London. Deciding against pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering, he took a job and learned computer programming while working for Dairy Crest and the Milk Marketing Board.  He left England for Bermuda in 1986 to work for the Bank of Bermuda. While there, his hobbies included windsurfing and sound design and direction for local amateur theatre. He also enjoyed running with the local Hash House Harriers club, where he met his future wife. Moving to Massachusetts in 1995, Chris worked for Information Access Company, Thomson Technology, Gale Group, Cengage Learning and most recently EBSCO Information Systems. He was highly regarded by everyone he worked with; he was known for his patience, superior knowledge, work ethic, mentoring skills and sense of humor. He enjoyed woodworking, hiking and being active with his son’s scout pack and troop, coaching his daughter’s soccer and basketball teams, skiing, music, craft beer, riding his motorcycle and walking and playing with his dogs.

Chris is survived by his beloved family, wife Kerstin (Smith) March and children Tobias and Lucy; his loving mother Kay (Hall) March and sister Alison McIntyre, her husband Alex and their children Imogen and Joshua McIntyre of Nottingham, England. He also leaves behind many good mates in England, cousins in Australia and the extended Smith family of Toronto and Bermuda including Tomas and Allison of Bermuda, Annika and Dave of Toronto and his nieces Danielle, Kyla, Sarah and Leona Smith.

He will be so deeply missed by all; he was the nicest person, willing to do anything for anyone, and all who knew him adored him.

The family invites you to visit with them to remember Chris at the Hillview Country Club, 149 North Street, North Reading on Friday, February 15^th between 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to Cape Ann Animal Aid, 4 Paws Lane, Gloucester, MA, 01930. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Edith Nancy (Heselton) Almeida – 80, Of Hudson, NH, formerly of Haverhill and North Reading, MA  passed away peacefully at the Greenbrier Nursing Home in Nashua NH on Thursday, February 7, 2019 from a lengthy battle from Alzheimer’s Dementia Disease. Edith Nancy was the widow of the late Ronald Francis Gill of North Reading and the wife of Robert A. Almeida of Hudson NH.

Edith was pre-deceased by her parents Edith Viola Heselton Gallant and Frederick W. Heselton of North Reading, MA and her brother Frederick Heselton of Amesbury, MA.

She is survived by brothers Albert Heselton and wife Kay of Brooksville FL, Harold Heselton and wife Barbara of Peabody Mass; sisters Rita Melanson of Weeki Wachee FL, Brenda Fast and her Husband Jack of Brooksville FL and her children Nancy Bean and husband Robert of Epping NH, Rhonda Pineiro of Derry NH, Patrick Gill and his wife Patti of Haverhill MA, Michael Gill of Haverhill, MA, James Gill of Seabrook, NH and Scott and Amanda Gill of Haverhill, MA. 3 step children, Robin Gospodarek and her husband Mike of Nashua, NH, David Almeida and his wife Cheryl of Bethleham, NH and Tony Almeida and his wife Sharon of Fitchburg. 20 Grandchildren, 13 Great Grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Edith Nancy graduated from Reading High School 1956. She also graduated from Northern Essex Community College in May 1998 with a BA in History and Sociology and later graduated several years later from Merrimack College with a Master’s in Business.

Edith Nancy Retired from the IRS as a Supervisor. She loved family, God, nature, cats, gardening, backyard bird watching, sewing and researching Family Genealogy.

Edith Nancy also held the position for a time as the President of The Women’s Baptist Ministry in Merrimack Valley.

Her funeral will be held on Friday, February 15 at 11:00 AM at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. Calling hours will be held prior to the funeral from 9 to 11 AM. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her name to the Alzheimer’s Association for research to help find a cure. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Arthur L. Pierce, Jr. – 77, of Palm Bay, Florida and formerly of North Reading, died Saturday, February 2, 2019 at the Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne, Florida.

Born in Lawrence, MA on August 25, 1941. He was the son of the late Arthur L., Sr. and Ruth Viola (Shaw) Pierce. He attended school in Lawrence and North Reading. Arthur has been a resident of North Reading for over 60 years.

He worked for C & W Transportation in Lexington and BJ Bus Service in North Reading. He was the owner of Main Street Garage in North Reading and later worked for Benevento Sand and Gravel in Wilmington.

Arthur would help anyone, anytime no matter what. He loved being with his wife and kids, family and friends.

Family members include his beloved wife of 57 years, Marsha E. (Woods) Pierce; loving sons, John, Donald and Brian Pierce; brothers, Michael and Charlie Pierce and the late Richard Pierce; sisters, Dorothy Smith, Alice South and the late Luoane Parshley; three grandchildren, Haley, Lanna and Vivian Pierce. Also survived by many brother and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews.

His funeral will be held on Saturday, February 9 at 10:00 AM at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. Calling hours will be held on Friday, February 8 from 4 to 8 PM. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. Memorial donations may be made in his memory to the charity of one’s choice. www.croswell funeralhome.com