JEAN A (DELOREY) BITTNER, formerly JEAN A LYNCH – 92, of Beverly MA, formerly Winter Haven, FL and North Reading, MA, passed away peacefully on June 25, 2022.

Jean was born on May 8, 1930 to Agnes (Hamilton) and Peter Delorey and was raised in Medford, MA.  Jean was a loving and devoted wife, proud and loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, and a friend to many throughout her life.

Jeans working career started as a teenager at Filene’s Department Store in Boston. She later became a secretary at both Goldthwaite Medical Supplies and then John Hancock.  Once her children were in school, Jean began volunteering in the library at Maria J. Murphy Elementary School in North Reading, MA until she was hired by the North Reading School Department of Pupil Personnel Services, from which she retired from in 1988.

Jean embraced the roles of statistician for the little league, brownie troupe leader, family camping coordinator and later as a volunteer In a Bereavement Ministry.  She shared her time with close neighborhood friends playing cards when the children were younger which continued on for years later as they retired together in Florida.

Jean enjoyed travel and visited many US National Parks and attractions and cruised to Alaska and Greece.

Jean would often be found with her head buried in a crossword puzzle book or cross sums book (which were always done in pen!) and it was a running joke that she always cheated at any and all card and board games because she always won!

But it was Jean’s love of music and dancing that kept her spirit going.  In their younger years, both Jean and her first husband Bob would perform in local cabaret shows and would often clear the floor when they danced.  She would then go on to enjoy playing and writing music on the piano with her second husband, Len, whom she met square dancing.  Jean found peace in her later years by joining an organ group that would perform during the Christmas holiday in local Florida malls.  And she was playing the organ right up until several months before her passing.  Music brought Jean to life and you would find her tapping out the beat, or dancing down the hallway behind her walker, whenever a familiar song was played.

Jean is preceded in death by her first husband Robert (Bob) Lynch; her parents and brother, Peter Delorey and his wife Josephine; and her sister-in-law Evangeline (Vangie) Pavitt and her husband Samuel; her brother-in-law John Lynch and his wife Ellen; and her brother-in-law Joseph Lynch.  She is survived by her son John Lynch and his wife Gina of Georgetown, MA and their sons Corey and his wife Danielle of Wilmington, MA, and Christopher and his wife Amanda of Raleigh, NC and great grandson Tristan; her daughter Barbara (Lynch) Donaldson and her husband David of San Jose, CA and their son Michael of New York, NY; and her daughter Nancy (Lynch) LaMontagne of Peabody, MA, formerly Stratford, CT and former husband Greg LaMontagne of Milford, CT and their daughters Sarah and Heather both currently residing in Georgia.

Jean is also preceded in death by her second husband, Herbert (Len) Bittner, and his daughter Shirley Tucker, and survived by Len’s children Herbert (Lee) Bittner, Michael Bittner, Jeanie (Bittner) Grant, and Tamara Bittner, and several grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Jean is also survived by her loving companion these past six years, John Driscoll of Beverly, and his children Denise (Driscoll) Wyer, Jack Driscoll, Kathleen (Driscoll) DeRosa, Christine (Driscoll) Wyard, Steven Driscoll, Michael Driscoll and Kevin Driscoll.

Visiting hours will be held at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading on Thursday, June 30, 2022 from 4-7pm.  A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter Street, North Reading on Friday, July 1, 2022 at 10:30 am.  Interment will immediately follow at Riverside Cemetery in North Reading, MA.

Richard N. Gerardi – 88, of North Reading and formerly of Lynn, MA, died at Winchester Hospital on Thursday, June 23, 2022. He was the loving husband of the late Edna M. (Jones) Gerardi.

Born in Lynn, MA on March 10, 1934. He was the son of the late Lawrence B. and Nancy J. (Ruggiero) Gerardi. He was raised in Lynn and was a graduate of English High School, Class of 1951, he also attended Lee Institute for Real Estate, Franklin Technical Institute and the General Electric Apprentice Program.

Richard was a U.S. Navy Veteran, serving from 1956 to 1957. He worked for many years as an Engineer for General Electric in Lynn. He later formed Gerardi Realty in North Reading with his wife Edna. He has been a resident of North Reading for the past 64 years.

He always encouraged his family and friends to follow their dreams and goals. “Make it happen”, “Luck is accomplished when hard work and preparation meet opportunity”. Richard enjoyed hiking, traveling with his family and day trips in his VW Camper.

Family members include his four loving daughters, Mary Jane (Gerardi) Menard and her husband Mario, Nancy Gerardi, Joyce (Gerardi) Parsons and her husband James and Jodi Gerardi; he was the father of the late Richard Lawrence Gerardi; 6 grandchildren, Heather, Natalie, Katherine, Nicole, Andrew and Mitchell; his late sister Jenny (Gerardi) Pesce; daughter-in-law Jenny Runyon; his nephew Richard and Lorraine Pesce and family.

Funeral services will be private and are under the direction of the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. To leave an online condolence please visit: www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Dear Dad,

We want to thank you for being the best son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, father-in-law and friend we could of ever had the absolute pleasure to have in our lives. You taught us to be kind, generous, hardworking, funny, knowledgeable and thankful in how you approached every moment in your life, ours and everyone you met throughout your amazing 88 years.

We were blessed to witness your amazing journey on this earth through your ingenuity, skills and talents. You served our Country in theUnited States Navy, meeting your wife and loving her-taking care of her through tough times and wonderful times, putting yourself through school and working as an Engineer for General Electric, Lynn, MA , until you retired. While also attending Lee Institute for Real Estate and starting a real estate business with your wife. You had built your forever home for you and your family. You were always encouraging and loving to your children (Mary Jane, Nancy, Joyce and Jodi) son-in-laws (Mario and Jamie) daughter-in-law (Jenny) grandchildren (Heather, Natalie, Katie, Nicole, Andrew and Mitchell). You encouraged us to be the best and try our hardest… “make it happen…be persistant” your favorite sayings. You traveled the world and always kept your life full of excitement and joy.

We are better people because of you. Thank you Dad

Your loving and grateful family.

Phyllis R. Kulsa – 85, of Peabody and formerly of North Reading, MA, died Sunday, May 29, 2022, at the Jeffrey & Susan Brudnick Center for Living.

Born in Cambridge, MA on December 14, 1936. She was the daughter of the late Alfred Zerega and Mary Gardner.

Phyllis always worked up until her retirement.  One of her first jobs was at the Schrafft’s candy factor in Charlestown, MA and always delighted her children by bringing home candy every night.  Later in life she was a long-time worker at Compugraghic Corp., helping to create circuit boards used in their products.

She was a very generous and caring person and loved to cook for her family. Phyllis loved animals and could never turn down adopting a new critter. One of her favorite restaurants was The Hilltop Steakhouse and she enjoyed taking her kids to the beach when they were young.

She was predeceased in life by her daughter Stacie (1979). Family members include her loving children, Donna and her husband Jeff, Pamela and her husband Roy, Ken and his wife Connie along with her grandchildren Brett, Brooke, Zachary & Sophia and her siblings Ronald, Joan & Maryann.

Services will be private and are under the direction of the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. Memorial donations may be made in her memory to the charity of one’s choice. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Patricia A. (Marshall) Timoney – 80, of North Reading, formerly of Malden, passed away at her home, surrounded by her family on Sunday, June 19, 2022. Patricia was married for 57 years to the late James J. Timoney who passed last year.

Born in Lynn, MA on October 8, 1941, she was the daughter of the late Kenneth and Louise (Queeney) Marshall. She was a graduate of Girls Catholic High School (formerly Immaculate Conception High School) in Malden and worked as an Administrative Assistant for Varian Associates in Waltham for many years.  She was a resident of North Reading for 60 years and a member of St. Theresa’s Church.

Patty was a loving wife, mother and grandmother – affectionately called “Nana”. She was kind, caring, and generous; always putting others first. She loved her family, friends, grandchildren and Godchildren with all her heart. Gathering to celebrate life’s events, big or small meant the world to her. She always made time to talk whether on the phone or chatting over a cup of coffee. She loved shopping to find the perfect gift, enjoyed writing stories, listening to music, singing, and watching movies. Her faith was constant, certain and unwavering. She lived a full and wonderful life and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. She is survived by her loving family members including her son Jeffrey and his wife Dena; daughters, Deborah and Susan and her husband Larry; she was the proud Nana of Ashleigh, Katherine, Alexia and Robert and the sister of Robert and Paul Marshall.

Her funeral will be held at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading on Thursday, June 23 at 11:00 AM. Visitation will be held prior to the funeral from 10:00 to 11:00 AM. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. Memorial donations may be made in her memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Alzheimer’s Association or American Lung Association. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

RoseMarie (Fruciano) Vitale – 84, of North Reading passed away peacefully and in the comfort of her own home, surrounded by family on June 9, 2022.

Rose was a loving and devoted wife, proud and loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, and a friend to many throughout her life.

Rose Marie was born in the West End of Boston on September 27, 1937, to the late Salvatore (Sam) and Gaetana (Tina Bettinelli) Fruciano. She is survived by her beloved husband of 56 years, Stephen Vitale of North Reading and their three children, Jo (DiFranco) Ridgley and her husband, Mark of Haverhill, MA, TinaMarie (DiFranco) Hemmer and her husband, Lawrence of Mt. Airy, MD, and Stephen Vitale Jr. and his wife, Christine Vitale of Pepperell, MA.

Rose was Grammy to Brandi and her fiancé, Matt, Shane, Cori and her husband Doug, Kristi and her husband Ashish, Victoria, and DJ. She was Great Grammy to four great grandchildren. All, having special places in her heart.

Rose is also survived by her two brothers, Joseph and his wife Charlotte Fruciano and Bernard Fruciano and his husband Peter van den Noort. She also leaves behind aunts, uncles, and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Rose loved time spent with her family. What others would perceive as bragging was Rose expressing how proud she was of her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed traveling with her husband, visiting many countries, cruising, as well as touring the US. She was a talker, talking with friends and strangers who quickly became friends. Her past times included playing cards (she did not like to lose), baking, and she kept the librarians at Flint Memorial Library busy with all her requests for books.

Her working career was spent at General Electric/Ametek in Wilmington until she retired in 1997. As a Senior she worked for the town of NR; in the schools making copies for teachers, as a greeter at the town hall, and she always volunteered to work elections on voting days.

Rose Marie will be missed by all.

Visiting hours will be held at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading on Tuesday, June 14 from 8:30 to 10:00 AM, followed by a 10:30 AM Funeral Mass at St. Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter Street, North Reading.

In lieu of flowers, consider a donation in Rose’s honor, to her favorite charity.  Donations can be sent to Smile Train, https://donate.smiletrain.org.  Smile Train is a nonprofit organization and charity providing corrective surgery for children with cleft lips and palates. www.croswellfuneralhome.com