Lois E. (Taylor) Murphy – 92, of Tyngsboro, formerly of North Reading and Malden, passed away at her home on Friday, June 13, 2025. She was the beloved wife of the late Anthony D. Murphy.

Born in Malden, MA on September 24, 1932, she was the daughter of the late Thomas and Edna (Smith) Murphy. She was a former resident of North Reading from 1968 to 2017 and attended St. Theresa’s Church, until moving to Tyngsboro.

Lois was a caring and loving homemaker, mother and wife. Lois enjoyed cooking and kept the house spotless. She enjoyed camping, mountain climbing and whitewater rafting. Lois would greet anyone with a smile and a hello.

Lois liked to keep active. In her 50’s she took up running and ran a few 5K road race events. She enjoyed gardening and lawn care. She also enjoyed shoveling snow and being outside.

Family members include her loving sons, Michael Murphy and his wife Mary and Paul Murphy and his wife Miriam Roth-Murphy; her daughter, Eileen Murphy; grandsons, Christopher and Jonathan Murphy; granddaughters, Jennifer McAlarney and her husband Scott and Julie Murphy and one great grandchild, Aiden McAlarney.

Her funeral will be held on Monday, June 23 at 11:00 AM at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street in North Reading. Visitation will be held prior to the funeral from 10:00 to 10:50 AM. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading.

www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Solfrid Cecilie Collins, December 10, 1942 to June 12, 2025

Solfrid Cecilie Collins, age 82, died peacefully in her home, with her beloved son by her side, in North Reading, Massachusetts on June 12, 2025. Solfrid, originally of Hitra, an island in Norway, attended High School in Hitra and the Fosen Folkehøgskole (a crafts school) in Rissa, Norway.  After immigrating to the United States she worked as an au pair and as a bookkeeper at various businesses.  In 1966, Solfrid married Dennis Collins, a NASA engineer, who she met at The Bavarian, a bawdy German beer hall in Washington, D.C., where she danced with Dennis to an Oom-pah band.  The couple settled in North Reading, where Solfrid set to work creating a cozy and loving home for her family.  Solfrid and Dennis went on to have a son, Brendan and a daughter, Britt.  In her later years, she joyfully cared for (and spoiled) her five grandchildren and shared her Norwegian customs with them. She also tirelessly cared for Dennis in his later years when he fell ill, allowing him to stay in his beloved home.

Solfrid had a fierce commitment to her family, a wicked sense of humor and a tremendous sense of fun.  She adored caring for her extended family; bringing her grandchildren on many adventures; taking care of them when they were ill, and; making them delicious home-cooked meals (often-times personally delivered to their door).  She was charitable, generous with her time and her love and considered caring for others to be her life’s work.  She loved nature, and, as an island-born girl, was happiest by the sea.  She enjoyed long walks in the woods with her family, her dog, Nosey and her granddog, Sasha.  She loved to entertain and to share her Norwegian traditions with family and friends.

Solfrid was an accomplished oil painter who gravitated towards bright colors and seascapes.  She gardened until her last days, knitted elaborate Norwegian patterns, cooked feasts and baked too many cakes.  Her sense of adventure took her downhill skiing (when she had only skied cross-country), sailboat racing (after deceptively telling Dennis that she knew how to sail), fishing and going, really anywhere, as long as she was with family.  She was an ever-patient photographer’s assistant to her beloved husband, Dennis.  She created elaborate holiday feasts steeped in tradition and hosted joyful birthday dinners (complete with Norwegian Bløtkake) for all her children and grandchildren.  She loved spending time in Norway, her beloved homeland.

Solfrid is survived by her son, Brendan Collins, daughter, Britt Collins and brother Egil Svalgress.  She is also survived by her grandchildren, Boden Mennis, Donovan Mennis, Sophia Collins, Aidan Collins and Rachel Collins, her daughter-in-law, Rosaleen Dillon, son-in-law, Gregory Mennis and her nephews, Rune Svalgress and Arild Svalgress.

Solfrid is predeceased by her husband of 54-years, Dennis Collins, her mother, Ruth Svalgress, her father, Harald Svalgress and her brother, Rolf Svalgress.

Måtte Solfrid hvile i fred med sin elskede ektemann, Dennis.  (Translation:  May Solfrid rest in peace with her beloved husband, Dennis.)

Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 19 from 4 to 6 PM. Funeral service and interment will be private. Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading is in charge of arrangements.

www.croswellfuneralhome.com

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 – 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, – 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 4^th 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