Erika  E.  Holtsberg – 22, of North Reading. We lost our beloved Erika E. Holtsberg, she was taken on May 12, 2018 in a car accident. Erica’s spirit shined in so many ways, art, piano, sports, kindness and humor. Her smile, love of life and dynamic personality filled every room. We’ll miss you our beautiful Erika. To Our Erika from Dexter and your family  “You******  ******  ****”.  Funeral services will be private and are under the direction of the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Gordon  L.  Simpson – 91, of Charlestown, formerly of South Boston and Medford, died Friday, May 4, 2018 at the Dexter House in Malden, after a lengthy illness.

Born in Somerville, MA on September 30, 1926. He was the son of the late Louis J. and Hazel V. (Gillis) Simpson. He was raised and attended school in Medford and was a graduate of Medford High School.

Gordon was a U.S. Army Korean War Veteran, he served from 1950 to 1952. He worked for the U.S. Post Office in Arlington for many years.

He loved music and refinishing furniture.

Family members include his loving sister, Geraldine Gould and his late brother, Vernon Simpson;  nieces, Darlene Condelli and the late Carol Scott; nephews, Donald Gould and the late Vernon Simpson.

Funeral services will be held at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading on Thursday, May 10 at 11:00 AM. Calling hours will be held prior to the service from 9:45 AM to 10:45 AM. Burial will be held in Wildwood Cemetery in Wilmington. Memorial donations may be made in his memory to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen Street, Framingham, MA 01701. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Louis  D.  Russo – 77, of North Reading, died Saturday, April 28, 2018, at Wingate of Andover, after a lengthy illness.

Born in Boston, MA on July 4, 1940, he was the son of the late John N. and Ellen M. (Donald) Russo. He was a U.S. Army Veteran of the Korean War, he served from 1958 to 1961 and in the Army Reserves until 1964. Louis was a lifelong resident of Martin’s Pond in North Reading. He was a member of St. Theresa’s Church and Moose Lodge in North Reading and a member of the Topsfield Fair.

Louis was retired and worked at Atlantic Gelatin (The Jelly) in Woburn from 1981 to 2003 and worked with the Reading Police and Health Services for 43 years. He also worked for Wakefield Bearing from 1965 to 1981 and as a young boy at Wheeler’s Farm in North Reading.

He earlier raised rabbits at the Topsfield Fair and was a huge fishing man at Martin’s Pond. He was dedicated to his wife, family and friends. He would give you the shirt off his back.

Family members include his loving wife of 56 years, Eilleen M. (Hoy) Russo;  loving daughters, Jennifer MacLean and her husband Raymond and Marlene Falle; late sons, Louis D. Russo, Jr. and Walter Russo; brothers, John and Peter Russo; sisters, Margarette Masotta, Geraldine Cochran, Florence McLeod and Marie McAllister; the late sisters, Patrina  Hurd, Theresa Gaffney and Ellen Cullivan; cherished grandfather of eight and great grandfather of five.

Funeral services will be private and are under the direction of the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in his memory to: American Cancer Society, 30 Speen Street, Framingham, MA 01701.  www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Cecelia A. (O’Donnell) Durham – 80, of North Reading and formerly of Dorchester and Roxbury, died Thursday, April 26, 2018, at the Sawtelle Family Hospice House in Reading. She was the beloved wife of the late Charles J. Durham, Sr.

Born in Boston, MA on July 1, 1937. She was the daughter of the late James and Ellen (McCarthy) O’Donnell.

Cecelia worked in the Claims Department at Eastern Insurance Group in Wakefield for many years and has been retired for the past 5 years. She enjoyed line dancing, gardening and traveling. Cecelia has been a resident of North Reading for over forty years.

Family members include her loving son, Charles J. Durham, Jr. of North Reading; daughters, Cecelia Alice Durham of North Reading and Jennifer L. Fales and her husband Keith of Middleton; sisters, Patricia Curley and her husband Paul of Hudson and the late Margaret Piquette; grandchildren, Joshua and Gabriel Fales (Mr.G), both of Middleton; also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Her Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, May 1 at 10:30 AM at St. Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter Street (Rt. 62), North Reading, followed by interment in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. There will be no calling hours. Memorial donations may be made in her memory to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen Street, Framingham, MA 01701. Arrangements are the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading, MA 01864. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Jean Lillian (Boyd) Nichols, died peacefully at the Royal Meadow View Center in North Reading on April 22, 2018 at the age of 87, after a 12-year battle with Lewy Body Dementia (LBD). She is preceded in death by her husband Ted (Feb 11, 2018), son Mark Nichols and sisters Eleanor Hood Putnam and Beatrice White.

Jean is survived by her brother Robert Boyd of Haverhill,  six sons and five daughters-in-law, Ted & Connie Nichols of Kennebunk ME, Karl and Helene Nichols of Virginia Beach, VA, David and Barbara Nichols of Derry NH, Peter Nichols of Wenham, Andy (Retired NRFD) and Suzanne Nichols of North Reading, Guy and Jessica Nichols of Lowell and the late Mark Nichols and his wife Kara originally of Tyngsboro.

Jean was born on March 5, 1931 in Somerville, MA, to Lillian (Smith) and Alden John Boyd. She grew up in Wilmington and graduated from Wilmington High School in 1949. She married the love of her life, Edward M. Nichols, II on Sept 8, 1950. They were married for 67 years, had seven sons, 23 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. She was a secretary for a number of years and a loving and dedicated wife and mother of seven sons. She was not only the “boss” but the “heart and soul” of her family.

Jean had many interests throughout her life such as quilting, flowers (Wakefield Flower Club) as well as being an active member at Faith Lutheran Church in Andover as well as an involved and dedicated member in the overall Christian Community (Church Women of Woburn).

She and Ted enjoyed travelling over the years, including multiple trips to Italy while her son Karl lived there, mission trips to Mexico and visiting her “pen-pal” of over 60 years in England. She also enjoyed many summers with her husband and family in Wells, ME and North Haven Island, ME.

A wake is scheduled for May 11, 2018 from 4-7 PM at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. A funeral service at Faith Lutheran Church in Andover is scheduled for May 12, 2018 at 10:00 AM followed by a burial at the Wildwood Cemetery in Wilmington.  All are welcome to attend and celebrate Jean’s life. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Foundation 4 Love at https://foundation4love.org. The family would like to thank the staff and caregivers at Royal Meadow View Center for their care and dedication. www.croswellfuneralhome.com