Greta J. Barresi – 91, formerly of North Reading, died on Friday, November 18, in Andover, Massachusetts. She was the only child of Martin R. Anderson (born Oscar Martin Rasmusson), an immigrant from Sweden, and Elizabeth (“Bess”) O’Brien, an immigrant from Newfoundland. Soon after Greta’s birth in Arlington, Massachusetts, in 1931, probably in the home of a midwife, her mother was admitted to a sanatorium for tuberculosis patients, a disease that was both common and fatal at the time, where she died three years later. Soon after her mother’s admission to the sanatorium, Greta and her father were taken in as boarders by Hilda Kristina (Hylander) Andresen, an immigrant from Sweden, and her husband Sonik (“Sam”) Peter Andresen, a Danish immigrant from an island that had been conquered by imperial Germany, with whom they lived for the next 13 years in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and then Belmont, Massachusetts, until Greta’s father remarried. Hilda and Sam, who had no children of their own, loved Greta unconditionally and became like second parents to her. She remained close to them for the rest of their lives. In 1944, Greta moved out of the Andresens’ home with her father and new stepmother to Arlington, Massachusetts. Greta graduated from Arlington High School in 1948.

In an era when few women attended college, Greta paid her way through Salem State Teacher’s College (now Salem State University), where she studied Business Education. She spent two of those years as a boarding student, first in a private home and then in the Salem Home for Young Women, because there were no dorms on campus at the time. It was at Salem State that she met her future husband, Arthur A. Barresi, a World War II veteran from Lynn, Massachusetts. They married soon after graduating in 1952 and took teaching jobs at the high school in Pepperell, Massachusetts, where two of their three children were born. Greta and Arthur moved to North Reading in 1955 when Arthur was offered a job teaching business subjects in what would be the new high school. He soon became its first Assistant Principal, a post that he held until his retirement in 1987. They settled in a Cape Cod–style house on Nutter Road in what had been an apple orchard before the war, where Arthur would live for almost 45 years Greta would live for more than 63. The salary of a public school teacher only went so far for a family of four in those days, so for a time they had no telephone in their home. When Greta and Arthur moved to town, the crews building Route 93 still were making their way toward North Reading from Boston; E. Ethel Little still lived in her two houses at the corner of Park and Main Streets (a small house with central heating in the winter and a big house without central heating in the summer); and the future North Reading High School still was an empty field across the street from the little clapboard building that housed Ryer’s store (then called Molly’s).  Soon Greta was teaching in the evening school at Lynn Burdett College in Lynn, Massachusetts, which she did for several years, interrupted only by the birth of a third child in 1962. After this child started first grade, Greta worked again as a substitute teacher in the North Reading public schools for $15 a day. At about that time, she also signed up for an intensive training course offered by North Reading for tutors who were willing to work with learning-disabled children. After completing the course, Greta worked for many years with children with mild to moderate special needs, first at the Maria J. Murphy Elementary School and then at the L. D. Batchelder Elementary School. She retired in 1988.

Over the years, Greta enrolled in many adult education courses and had many hobbies as a result, including upholstery, oil painting, cake decorating, rosemaling, and the ins-and-outs of travel arranging (at a time when it was not possible to arrange trips online). She also volunteered for the Channel 2 Auction at least once. She was a charter member of Messiah Lutheran Church in Lynnfield, Massachusetts, where she was active in youth education and charitable activities for decades. She was an avid gardener—growing both flowers and vegetables—and enjoyed cooking too, especially when it came to preparing “gourmet specials” of dishes from all over the world. She also liked reading and for a time met periodically in a book club of women who lived nearby. Later in life, she was a founding member of the North Reading Recycling Committee, attended town meetings, and was active in the North Reading Senior Center. From her father she inherited a zest for travel—with her family, with her husband, and in later years sometimes by herself or with a friend. By her 80^th birthday, Greta had visited all seven continents. In the late 1990s, while serving as caregiver to her husband, who was battling Parkinson’s disease, Greta started to write her memoirs and later joined a writing group in Lynnfield, Massachusetts, to which she presented draft chapters. Later, with the help of one of her sons, she began to edit them, a project on which she continued to work until a week before her death. She also helped her husband to start writing his memoirs, and, after his passing in 2000, continued to work on them in his stead, including by compiling extensive reminiscences about her husband’s life that she solicited from family, friends, and others. She also endowed a scholarship for North Reading High School students in his name.

Greta is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Elizabeth C. Robinson and Alvin A. Robinson III of Tewksbury, Massachusetts; a son and daughter-in-law, David P. Barresi and Julia (Johnson) Barresi of Traverse City, Michigan; another son, Paul A. Barresi, and Richard S. Carbonneau of Merrimac, Massachusetts; a granddaughter and grandson-in-law, Miranda C. (Robinson) Allen and Jason Allen of Methuen, Massachusetts; another granddaughter, Marielle C. Robinson, and Scott Butova of Wilson, Wyoming; two grandsons, Joshua D. Barresi and Nicholas A. Barresi of Traverse City, Michigan; and several granddogs and greatgranddogs, whose company she always enjoyed (but could have done without the dog kisses).

Her funeral will be held on Friday, December 2, at 10:00 AM at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 1 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

In lieu of sending flowers, donations may be made to the Arthur A. Barresi Memorial Scholarship for North Reading High School students. Please make the checks payable to the “Town of North Reading” and be sure to note the “Arthur A. Barresi Memorial Scholarship” on the check’s memo line. The checks should be mailed to Treasurer, North Reading Town Hall, 235 North Street, No. Reading, MA, 01864.

Frederick R. Bishop, Jr. – 81, of North Reading and formerly of Melrose, died Saturday, November 19, at the Lahey Hospital and Medical Center in Burlington.

Born in Everett. MA on November 28, 1940, he was the son of the late Frederick R., Sr. and Mildred (Murray) Bishop. He was a graduate of Chelsea High School.

Fred worked for many years as a Supervisor for the Xenon Corporation in Wilmington. He was a member of the National Guard. He was an avid outdoorsman, he loved hunting and fishing. He has been a resident of North Reading for the past 49 years.

Family members include his loving wife Nancy (Moorehead) Bishop; his son, Frederick R. Bishop, III; his daughters, Diana Hartmann and Julie LeBlanc and three grandchildren.

Visitation will be held on Friday, November 25 from 4 to 7 PM at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading, followed by a prayer service at 7 PM. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in his memory to https://www.massoutdoorheritage.org/     www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Sally L. Beaver, 83, of North Reading, formerly of Malden and Melrose, MA, sadly passed away on Thursday, November 17th, 2022, at her home with her loving family by her side.

Born in Malden, MA on January 28, 1939, Sally was the loving daughter of Edward and Frances B. (Rea) Beaver who predeceased her. She attended Malden High School and graduated in 1957. Sally worked at the Malden Co-Operative Bank for 38 years, where she started as a teller continuing on to become the branch supervisor, branch manager, assistant treasurer and then assistant vice-president.

She was a very kind and wonderful person as shown by her early retirement to be the caregiver of her parents for twelve years. She was also a resident of North Reading for over 30 years. Sally was a profound figure in the community where she belonged to the Chamber of Commerce, was Treasurer of Zonta International Club of Malden, and director of the Malden YMCA and YWCA. Sally longed to help others. She was a volunteer at Malden Hospital and a board member at Project Triangle. Since 2002, Sally worked part time as a receptionist at Moynihan Lumber in North Reading.

Sally was an infectious woman who could light up any room she walked into. Her smile was full and her laugh contagious. Sally always made people feel their best and knew the right thing to say during difficult times. Sallys niece Kaileigh was the love of her life. They did everything together. They were two peas in a pod. Sally had a true love for animals, especially her cat Ralphie and her dogs, Flash and Riesling. Often referring to little Riesling as “Wayo” (kid in Italian). She loved going on numerous cruises and she was an avid bowler. Sally was one of the sweetest and kindest people always putting others before herself. She will be sadly missed by all.

Ms. Beaver is survived by her sister Kathleen Mulligan and husband, Kenneth of Methuen. She was predeceased by her brothers Edward and Joseph Beaver. Sally also leaves behind many nieces and nephews; Sean Mulligan and his wife, Rosie of Methuen, Carney Mulligan and his wife, Danni of Malden, Kaileigh Mulligan of Methuen, Joseph Beaver Jr. and his wife, Donna of Abbington, John Beaver and his wife, Sharyn of Wakefield, Lori Karl and her husband, Curt of Saugus. Sally is also survived by many great nieces and nephews, Jordan, Ian, Conner, Amanda, Melanie, Joseph, Matthew, Robert and wife Alisha O’Leary.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend visiting hours on Saturday, December 3, 2022 from 9 to 11 AM at Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. A short prayer will follow at Riverside Cemetery, North Reading. A luncheon full of memories and laughs will follow at the Chateau Restaurant, 131 River Road, Andover, Mass. 01810.  www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Peter Clark Jackson – 63, of North Reading and formerly of New Jersey, passed away on Thursday, November 17, 2022 surrounded by his family.

Born in Washington, D.C. on December 11, 1958. Peter was a graduate of Mountain Lakes High School in New Jersey, he attended the University of Delaware and graduated from Northeastern University. He later received his MBA from Suffolk University.

Family members include his loving wife of 34 years Susan (Bond) Jackson, their children Amanda, Daniel, Nicole, and their beloved dog Cora; his mother Joan (Clark) Jackson and late father Peter Monroe Jackson; his sister Fola Betourney and partner Clayton; his brother Mitchell Jackson and wife Molly; many nieces and nephews; and an extended in-law family.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date to be announced. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in his memory to the charity of one’s choice.  The family would like those who are able to donate blood.  Arrangements are by the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Lori Ann (Sykes) Houle – 60, of Methuen and formerly of North Reading, died unexpectedly at her home on Friday, November 11, 2022.

Born in Arlington, MA on November 9, 1962, she was raised in North Reading and was a graduate of North Reading High School, Class of 1980.

Lori worked in the printing industry for many years, she was a former employee of the North Reading Transcript and the Lawrence Eagle Tribune. She recently   worked in various customer service positions.

Lori loved her cat Clayton, the outdoors, and her family. She enjoyed attending concerts, cooking, biking, skiing, traveling, and cruising and exploring the countryside on motorcycles. She has been a resident of Methuen for over twenty years.

Family members include her loving mother, Betty J. (Ashton) Sykes and her late father Oscar C. Sykes; sister of Bonnie J. Matthews and her partner Charles Butterworth. Also survived by her godson and nephew Shane C Matthews and his wife Catherine and her niece Allison M Matthews.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, November 19 from 10:00 AM to Noon at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. www.croswellfuneralhome.com