Cheryl Ann Atkinson– 69, of South Weymouth passed away at home unexpectedly on Wednesday April 15th.

Born in Melrose on December 9, 1956 she was the daughter of the late Bruce B. and Marie H. (Horrigan) Atkinson.  She was raised and attended school in North Reading and was a graduate of North Reading High School, Class of 1974.  She subsequently earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education from Salem State College, Class of 1978.

After holding a number of instructional aide and teacher aide positions, Cheryl eventually established a lengthy career with the Bright Horizons organization where she helped start many young children on the road to a happy and productive life.  And, although it was never a vocation, she became a caregiver for a number of adults with some fairly serious medical issues.  Never formally trained as a medical professional, she learned everything she could about their conditions in order to provide the best care possible.    As it turned out, helping those who needed it became somewhat of a calling.

Cheryl loved animals of all kinds.  Her cats provided her with unending enjoyment.  So too did the birds, chipmunks and rabbits outside her windows.  Even when money was tight, there was somehow always enough to buy food for her animals.  Gardening was another of her cherished pastimes.  Apartment living posed challenges but flowering potted plants on a balcony and a small plot on the apartment building grounds served to satisfy the gardening urge.  If she wasn’t feeding the animals or tending to the plants, she would often be reading.  Books and the folks at the library who helped her track down the right ones were some of her best friends.   She also took pride in sharing small pearls of wisdom, which eventually became a lengthy list of ‘Cheryl’s factoids’.

She spent her happiest adult years with the late Jimmy Kelly of Braintree who passed away in 2010.  No one outside her own family treated Cheryl better than Jimmy did.

Cheryl is survived by her brothers Michael Atkinson of Townsend and Brian Atkinson of Danvers as well as her sister Terri Lanucha of Hampden, all of whom will miss her very much.  Always in her thoughts were nephews Joseph Lanucha and Matthew Atkinson and nieces Crystal Lanucha and Jessica (Atkinson) Foland.

There will be no calling hours or services.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to MSPCA-Angell, Attn: Donations, 350 Huntington Ave., Boston MA 02130. Arrangements are under the direction of the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Rosemary A. MacKinnon – (December 7, 1949 – April 10, 2026) age 76, of Summerville, SC and formerly of North Reading, MA. She was the daughter of the late George Murray MacKinnon and Malvina Mary (Zogla) MacKinnon and sister of the late Richard John MacKinnon.

Rosemary grew up in North Reading, MA. She was a graduate of North Reading High School, Class of 1969, Newbury College, and New England Hair Academy. She served in the Air Force as an Air Cargo Specialist from 1973-1975.

She worked in the high-tech industry for Analog Devices and Compensated Devices. She was also a Master Barber and was the owner of Cottage Place Barber Shop in Tewksbury, MA.

Rosemary was a member of TOPS Reading Chapter No. 83, YMCA in Summerville and the Blind Veteran’s Association.

She loved animals, cats, dogs and horseback riding. Rosemary enjoyed traveling to Cape Bretton, Nova Scotia, PEI and NB Canada, visiting family in South Carolina and VA. She enjoyed having pen pals and rug braiding, Japanese Embroidery, reading and other crafts. She moved to Summerville, SC in 2011 until her death. She was a member of Oak Community Church in Summerville, SC.

Memorial donations may be made in her memory to your favorite animal rescue. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading, MA on Thursday, April 23, at 10:30 AM. A Memorial Service will be held at the Oak Community Church in Summerville, SC at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading, MA.   www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Peter W. Thornton– 74-of Reading, formerly of Andover. Died February 28, 2026.

Karen L. (McKibben) Cumming – 68, of Lynnfield and formerly of North Reading, passed away unexpectedly at her home on Wednesday, March 11, 2026.

Born in Fort Worth, Texas on December 23, 1957. She was the daughter of the late Robert and Janice (Abercrombie) McKibben. Karen was raised and attended school in North Reading and was a graduate of North Reading High School. She also attended the University of South Carolina.

Karen worked as a waitress at the 99 Restaurant in North Andover for many years and then in her forties she became a receptionist at the Real Estate Title Company in New Hampshire. Karen loved flowers and gardening, she also enjoyed music and dancing.

Family members include her loving husband Scott W. Cumming; her daughter, Shane Cumming; her brother, Bob Abercrombie and her sisters, Kim Boyett and Lauren Abercrombie.

A graveside service will be held at a later date in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. Arrangements are under the direction of the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading.

Sharon  A.  (Knight)  Heselton –  78, of Reading and formerly of North Reading, passed away on Tuesday, March 17, 2026. She was the wife of the late Frederick M. Heselton.

Born in Melrose, MA on November 27, 1947. She was the daughter of the late John L. and Ethel (Slatting) Knight. She was raised and attended school in North Reading. She was a graduate of North Reading High School, Class of 1966 and she received her Associates Degree from Burdett College.

Sharon was a Licensed Practical Nurse for many years at the Meadowview Nursing Home in North Reading. She lived in North Reading until 1989 and attended St. Theresa’s Church.

She had a lot of love and devotion to her family. Upon the birth of her first grandchild in 1999. She left her career of an LPN behind to be a homemaker and take care of her grandchildren. She was a devoted mother, who was always supporting and prideful of her children. She enjoyed playing scrabble, Whisk and Rummy. She loved music and going with her daughter to concerts, she loved the beach and doing anything with her grandchildren  including going to football and little league games. Sharon loved family camping trips and family gatherings.

Family members include her loving sons,  Fred Heselton and his wife Grace of Newbury and her late son Robert J. Heselton; her daughter, Laura M. Cole of Newbury; her brother, John Knight of Panama City, Florida; her nephew, John Knight and niece Tricia Knight Curley; grandchildren, Joshua and Madison Heselton and Patrick and Shawn Cole.

Visitation will be held on Monday, March 30 from 5 to 7 PM at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in her memory to: Alzheimer’s Association, https://act.alz.org/site/TR?fr_id=19662&pg=personal&px=27209837