Edith A. (Donegan) O’Leary – 96, of North Reading, formerly of Stoneham and Somerville, died at Wingate Andover on Wednesday, June 22, 2016.

Born in Somerville on October 23, 1919.  She was the daughter of the late James and Anna (Ahern) Donegan.  She was a graduate of Somerville High School and many specialized programs and graduate studies in Gerontology.  She was a resident of North Reading for the past 65 years.

Edith was well known for her elder advocacy and involvement in civic and political affairs.  She was the Director of Elder Affairs for the Town of North Reading for many years and also served on numerous regional, state and national boards, committees and commissions on elder affairs.  She was appointed to Congressional Advisory Committees on Elder Affairs and was also a long serving member of the Board of Directors of Mystic Valley Elder Services.  Edith and her family were extremely grateful for the recognition of her advocacy and efforts when the naming of the North Reading Senior Center was made in her honor.

Competitive and a leader in all of her activities since a young age, Edith was a qualifier for the 1932 and 1936 Olympics as a high jumper.  She served as President of the Massachusetts Democratic Women on Wheels and was delegate to both national and state Democratic conventions.  As the first elected female constable, she served as longtime Treasurer of the Massachusetts Constable Association. Locally, she headed the Council on Aging and Golden Age Club and served on the North Reading Historical and Antiquarian Society, Fourth of July Committee and the Democratic Town Committee.  She was a member of St. Theresa’s Church.

Family members include her late husband of 66 years, Thomas J. O’Leary, Sr. Daughters, Elizabeth A. Poirier of North Reading and Ann L. Walker of Medford.  Sons, Thomas J. O’Leary, Jr. (Susan) of Andover; James S. O’Leary (Dorris) of Groveland; Stephen J. O’Leary (Susan) and Paul O’Leary (Janet) both of North Reading and John B. Roberts of Andover.  Also survived by 25 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.  She was predeceased by her brothers, James, John and Edward Donegan and sister Gertrude Roberts.

Funeral services will be held from Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, NORTH READING on Saturday June 25 at 9:15 AM followed by a 10:30 AM Funeral Mass at St. Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter St. (Rt. 62), North Reading.  Calling hours will be held on Friday from 4 to 8 PM, Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery in north Reading.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in her name to Mystic Valley Elder Services GAP Fund, 300 Commercial St. Suite 19, Malden, MA 02148 or to North Reading Friend of the Council on Aging, 157 Park St., North Reading, MA 01864.

Helen P. (Young) Claunch – 96, of North Reading, formerly of Nashville, Tennessee and Chicago, Illinois,  passed away peacefully on Friday, June 17, in Wakefield, MA, surrounded by loved ones.  She was the wife of the late Clarence M. Claunch.

Helen was a strong woman whose inspirational story cannot totally be told in this brief memorial.  Throughout her life, she survived many hardships, but was never one to feel sorry for herself. Born in Huntsville, AL and married at 14, she had three children:  James R. Perkins of North Reading, Grady S. Perkins of Huntsville and Shirley M. Garnand (deceased) of Nashville.

Though she only completed school through the eighth grade, she always made sure her children had what they needed.  Helen was many things to many people.  She was a loving mother and a “cool” grandma to her 4 local grandchildren, who were blessed to be a big part of her life and to be by her side as she entered into eternal life. One of her many loves was her Chihuahua, “Rusty”, who she would walk every day.  She loved to sneak food to him from the table while denying it every time.  She had a Facebook following where friends of her grandkids would look forward to postings of her singing songs or telling jokes.  She is survived by her 2 children, 9 grandchildren, and 11 great grandchildren.

Services will be held at a later date. Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading, is in charge of arrangements.  www.CROSWELLFUERALHOME.com

Ashley T. Davis – 73, of Dracut and formerly of North Reading, died Sunday, June 19, 2016, at the Lahey Hospital and Medical Center in Burlington.

Born in Philadelphia, PA on December 8, 1942. He was the son of the late Ashley F. Davis and Dorothy E. (Fritz) Davis. He was a graduate of Lincoln High School in Philadelphia, PA. Ashley was a U.S. Air Force Veteran of the Vietnam Era. He worked as a Quality Assurance Inspector for Textron Defense Systems in Wilmington.

He was a former resident of North Reading for many years and was a former member of the Loyal Order of Moose.

Family members include his loving wife of 14 years, Roberta M. (Mitchell) Davis; his son, Matthew Davis; daughters, Laura Davis, Jennifer Davis Brungot and Kristen Davis; brothers, Arthur F. Davis and the late Steven Davis; his sister, Linda L. Davis Wrigley and six grandchildren.

Funeral services will be private and are under the direction of the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. www.CROSWELLFUNERALHOME.com

Francis H. Murphy – 84, of Middleton and formerly of Wakefield and Revere, died peacefully at his home on Friday, June 17^th 2016.

Born in East Boston, MA on December 21, 1931. He was the son of the late Joseph and Margaret (McGuinn) Murphy.

He was raised and attended school in Revere. Francis was a U.S. Navy Korean War Veteran and a member of the D.A.V. He was self employed in the Industrial Cleaning Industry for many years.

Family members include his loving wife of 63 years, Lucille (Mosko) Murphy; his children, John Murphy and his wife Claudette of Middleton, Virginia Edwards and her husband Richard of Georgetown, Diane Vozzella and her husband Paul of Billerica, Janice Monto and her husband Martin of Groveland, William Murphy of Bradford, Michael Murphy and his wife Anne of Boxford and Francis Murphy, Jr. and his wife Erika of Georgetown; sisters, Barbara Poirier of Malden and Margaret “Dolly” Iozza; brother of the late, Joseph Murphy, Helen Cameron, Ronald Murphy, Richard Murphy and Janice Leblanc; 23 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren.

His Funeral will be held from the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading on Wednesday, June 22 at 9:15 AM, followed by a 10:30 AM Funeral Mass at St. Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter St. (Rt.62), North Reading. Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, June 21 from 3 to 7 PM. Interment will be at a later date. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in his memory to the charity of one’s choice. www.CROSWELLFUNERALHOME.com

Wayne T. Dalton – 60, of North Reading and formerly of Chelsea, died peacefully on Sunday, June 12, 2016, at the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers, after a lengthy illness.
Born in Chelsea, MA on June 29, 1955. He was raised in and attended schools in North Reading and was a graduate of North Reading High School, Class of 1974. Wayne held many positions as a Tractor Trailer driver, including Superior Columns in Chelsea and National Lumber in Newton. He was a resident of North Reading for the past 58 years. He was a member of St. Theresa’s Church, American Legion and the North Reading Loyal Order of Moose.
Wayne was known for his wit and sense of humor. He was a very generous and giving person. He loved fishing, snowmobiling and his many trips to Prince Edward Island.
Family members include his beloved parents, Chester and Charlotte (Hughes) Dalton of North Reading; his loving daughter, Briana Dalton of Billerica; his brothers, James Dalton of Woburn and Shawn Dalton of North Reading; his sisters, Paula Sollazzo of Wilmington and Pam Howe of Burlington; his close friend, Howard Arnold of Andover. He is also survived by a strong and loving family of aunts, uncles, cousins and friends from here and Prince Edward Island.
His Funeral will be held from the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading on Saturday, June 18 at 9:15 AM, followed by a 10:30 AM Funeral Mass at St. Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter Street, (Rt. 62) North Reading. Calling hours will be held on Friday, June 17 from 4 to 8 PM. In lieu of flowers his family request that Memorial Contributions may be made in his name to the charity of one’s choice. WWW.CROSWELLFUNERALHOME.COM