All posts by Carol Croswell

Dorothy H. Gillis obituary and Services

Dorothy H Gillis “Dottie” – 84, of North Reading, died March 25, 2020 at Melrose Hospital.

Born in North Reading on May 21, 1935, she was the daughter of the late Vincent and Helen (Lyons) Sarcone.

Dottie was married to the late George F. Gillis for 56 years. Raised 4 children, Daughters, Debra McCabe, and her husband Carl, Kathleen Anderson, and her husband Peter both of North Reading, Dorothy Welch of Aurora, CO., and her son George Gillis, Jr., and his wife Wendy of Tewksbury.

Dottie is survived by her sisters, Rose Lussier of Sanford, N.C., and MaryAnn Shaw of Atkinson, N.H. and she was predeceased by her sister Catherine Marfleet, and her late brothers Paul & Leon Turcotte, Anthony, Richard & Joseph Sarcone.

She was a loving Nana to 9 Grandchildren and the late Scott A. Welch. She was also Nana to 9 Great Grandchildren along with many wonderful Nieces and Nephews.

Dottie graduated from Reading High School. In her early years Dottie worked for Transitron Electronic Corporation in Wakefield MA. Dottie was well known in town as the bus driver of students to North Reading public schools. Dottie retired from North Suburban Bus Company after more than 30 years of service. Dottie also worked briefly as a Crossing Guard in North Reading after retiring.

Dottie was very outgoing and not afraid to try something new, and she was known for her laugher. She always told you “like it is”. Dottie loved to teach her Grandchildren and many other children that called her Nana to fish and swim.  Dottie especially enjoyed camping at her favorite place, Sebago Lake State Park in Maine and made many trips to York Beach, where she always made sure to find a good Lobster Roll.

Dottie was known for welcoming everyone and anyone over to her home. The door was always open. She was also known for ringing your doorbell multiple times when she came to visit your home. She loved family gatherings and cookouts and always brought her famous Potato Salad to every event. Dottie loved her family and friends and would do anything for anyone!  She enjoyed all her dogs throughout the years, including Lilly, Jake & Rambo just to name a few. Dottie will be greatly missed by all who knew her and loved her.

Visitation will be held on Friday June 11th from 4-7 pm at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading (www.croswellfuneralhome.com). Her funeral Mass with be Saturday June 12th at 10:30 am at Saint Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter Street (Route 62), North Reading. Interment will be at Riverside Cemetery.

Memorial donations in lieu of flowers can be made in Dottie’s name to North Reading Parks and Recreation, 235 North Street, North Reading, Ma. 01864. The funds will be used to dedicate a tree near her favorite fishing hole. The tree is also near the area of Ipswich River Park where town barbeques are held, which she loved attending.

Joyce Sewall

Joyce (Greene) Sewall of Sarasota, FL, formerly of North Reading, MA and Edgecomb, ME, passed away May 23, 2021 after a long illness. Joyce was born on July 30, 1948 in Framingham, MA. She was the daughter of the late John and Helen Greene. She grew up in North Reading and was a graduate of North Reading High School class of 1966. She lived in Maine for many years before settling in Sarasota, Florida. Joyce loved her work in the medical field including dentistry, ophthalmology, orthopedics and finally cardiology. In her years living up North she enjoyed singing in the church choir. In Florida, she became actively involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters. She was an avid reader, enjoyed attending local theatre and traveling with her sister, Julie. She often traveled to Tennessee to spend time with her daughter Shandra Whitaker and her grandchildren Hailey, Kayla and Dylan to whom she was known as Mammy. She is survived by her daughter Shandra and her grandchildren Hailey, Kayla and Dylan of Dandridge. TN, her brothers Paul (and Denis) Webster Greene of Methuen, MA, John (and Diane) Greene of North Reading, MA, Russell Greene of Arlington, MA; Sisters Julie Wood (and Robert Stanton) of Methuen, MA and Deirdre (and John) Davenport of Chester, NH as well as many nieces and nephews, and grand-nieces and grand-nephews. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Services will be private. In honor of her memory and in lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Big Brothers Big Sisters or to the charity of one’s choice. Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow St., North Reading is in charge of arrangements.  www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Kathleen J. Twiggs

Kathleen  J. (Parsons) Twiggs  – 71, of Vero Beach, Florida and Brownfield, Maine, formerly of North Reading and Winthrop, died Monday, May 17, 2021 at the Cleveland Clinic, Indian River Hospital in Vero Beach, Florida.

Born in Winthrop, MA on April 4, 1950, she was the daughter of the late George E. and Marie A. (Donovan) Parsons. Kathy was raised in Winthrop and was a graduate of Winthrop High School.

She was a former resident of North Reading for 42 years. Kathy was a retired receptionist for Dental Health Concepts and St. Theresa’s Church, both in North Reading.

Kathy was a loving Nana to her 8 grandkids and had a close bond with each of them. Her strong will and dedication to her family was unmatched. She could light up a room and always cheer you up, no matter the circumstances. She loved to travel and was an avid fan of New England sports, especially the Red Sox. She enjoyed spending time at her beach in Maine as well as the ocean at Vero Beach; but nothing more than being in the company of her loved ones.

Family members include her loving husband of 50 years, Thomas J. Twiggs; her son Thomas J. Twiggs, II and wife Angela of Scituate, RI; daughters, Kerry E. Lee and husband Mark of Methuen and Kristen M. McLaughlin and husband Michael of Amesbury; her sister Sheila Berry and husband Bill of North Reading; 8 grandchildren, Connor and Erin Lee of Methuen, Caroline, Emma and Meghan McLaughlin of Amesbury, John Thomas, Madelaine and Maeve Twiggs of Scituate, RI; two nieces, Suzanne Arcari and Jessica Durham-Twiggs; nephew David Berry; brother-in-law Fran Twiggs and his wife Joelle and sister-in-law Margaret Twiggs and her wife Denise.

Her Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, June 2 at 10:30 AM at St. Theresa’s                  Church, 63 Winter Street (Rt. 62), North Reading. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 1 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. Memorial donations may be made in her memory to Boston Children’s Hospital or to Mass General Hospital for Children. www.croswellfuneralhome.com