All posts by Carol Croswell

Rosemary A. MacKinnon

 

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

Karen L. Cumming

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. Heselton

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

Audrey Gilbo

 

 

Audrey (Kimball) Gilbo – 86, of DeLand, FL and Three Rivers, MI, formerly of North Reading, MA, passed away peacefully on February 25, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.

Born on August 11, 1939, she was raised in Wilmington, MA, and graduated from Wilmington High School in 1957.

She lived in North Reading for over 50 years, many of those with her loving husband, the late Ronald J. Gilbo.  She worked as a secretary in the manufacturing sector for Transitron Electronics in Wakefield, GE Aerospace/Ametek in Wilmington, and Caressa Shoes in Burlington.  She was a Brownie Troop Leader, sang in the church choir and was an active member in the North Reading Garden club.

She loved spending time with her daughter, Kim (Gilbo) Warner, and son-in-law, Steve Warner, of Vicksburg, MI.  She adored her two grandchildren, Madeline Warner of San Jose, CA, and Jonathan Warner of Nashville, TN, and was known for sending them many care packages and treats well into adulthood.

Known for her “green thumb” and love of animals, she enjoyed cultivating her gardens and window boxes each year.  She could often be found birdwatching and was never without a favorite cat companion. She enjoyed being outdoors in all seasons, but especially loved campfires with family and walks along the beach searching for rocks and seashells. She enjoyed baking and was known to share her sweets with others, especially around the holidays.

In addition to her immediate family, she is survived by her sisters, Marlene Thornton of Austin, TX, Janice Stack of Danvers, MA, Elaine Catalfamo of Danvers, MA, and brother, Woody Kimball of Stoneham, MA.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 46 years, Ronald J. Gilbo, parents Phyllis B. (Kurkjian) Spataro and William C. Kimball, and eldest sister, Phyllis (Beverly) Miller.

Service Information: Calling hours will be held on Thursday, March 26, from 4-7 p.m. at Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow St., North Reading.  Funeral services on Friday, March 27, at 10:00 a.m., at Croswell Funeral Home, followed by burial in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading.

Memorial donations may be made in her memory to: Journey’s End Animal Sanctuary, 1899 Mercers Fernery Rd., DeLand, FL 32720.

Her family would like to thank the staff of Orlando Regional Medical Center ICU and VITAS Hospice for exceptional kindness and care.

 

www.croswellfuneralhome.com