Darlene Ruth Welch – 62, of Gloucester, formerly North Reading, passed away unexpectedly at the Lahey Clinic, Burlington, MA on Monday, July 20, 2020.

Born in Winchester, MA and growing up in North Reading, Darlene was a graduate of North Reading High School (1977).  She was a caring person with a big heart who truly loved family and friends, and spent as much time as she possibly could with her precious granddaughter Malyiah. She would do anything possible to help someone out in a time of need.

Darlene was a witty, funny person who enjoyed a good laugh and having fun.  She was an avid gardener and always had the talent and artistic ability to make beautiful flower arrangements and could tackle any household project making something out of nothing. She enjoyed cooking and was adamant about not following recipes; she would just make it up as she went along and her meals and desserts were always delicious.  Holidays, birthdays and all special occasions to be around family and friends were especially important to her.

She was a waitress for many years at different restaurants and all her customers loved her and would request her tables because she was good at what she did. Darlene was a true people person and had the special ability to connect with and read people very well.

Her family is heartbroken and she is already missed dearly.  Darlene leaves her parents L. Donald and Ruth Welch of North Reading, MA; daughters Alycia Welch-Kuykendall and Amber Eaton of Gloucester, MA; granddaughter Malyiah Welch-Menicocci of Gloucester, MA; brother Bradford Welch and his wife Cheryl of Stoneham, MA; sister Sheila Welch-Miller and her husband Donald of Townsend, MA, nieces Nicole Welch, Arielle Williams; nephews Stephen Welch, Shane Miller, Bradford Welch, and Andrew Welch. Along with many loving aunts, uncles, cousins, and many friends.  Darlene was predeceased by her brother Stephen D. Welch.

Darlene’s family will receive visitors practicing social distancing at Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading, MA 01864 on Sunday, July 26^th from 1:00 – 4:00 pm. All current Covid-19 protocols and restrictions are in place and funeral home capacity will be limited to a maximum of 50 people at one time.  A funeral service will be held at the Trinity Evangelical Church, 105 Haverhill Street, North Reading, MA 01864 on Monday, July 27th at 11:00 am. Memorial donations may be made in her memory to the Alzheimer’s Association.  www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Agnes J. (Miles) Foster – 85, of Chester, NH and formerly of North Reading for many years, died at her home on Wednesday, July 15, 2020.

Born on July 24, 1934 in Sydney, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. She was the daughter of the late  Albert and Agnes (Craine) Miles.

Agnes was a member of Union Congregational Church in North Reading for many years.

Family members include her loving son Brian Campbell and wife Denise Campbell; she was the mother of her late beloved daughter Debbie Fournier; loving brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews from Canada;  grandchildren Jennifer Gardner and husband Scott, Scott Campbell and fiancé Cyndie Moffett, Bonnie Hanlon and husband Paul, Shannon Fournier and fiancé Shawn Kelley, Chris Fournier and fiancé Erika Lessard; great grandchildren Eric Gardner, Kyle Gardner, Bryan Campbell, Bryce Campbell, Chase Campbell, Jordan Hanlon and Connor Hanlon.

Graveside services will be held at Puritan Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Peabody on Friday, July 24 at 11:00 AM. Memorial donations may be made in her memory to the Charity of one’s choice. Arrangements are by Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Etta (Humphrey) Gibbs – 86, of North Reading and formerly of Wakefield, died peacefully at her home on Saturday, July 4, 2020. She was the beloved wife of the late William Towle Gibbs.

Born in Silver Ridge Plantation, ME on August 16, 1933. She was the daughter of the late Vinal F. and Edna V. (Armstrong) Humphrey. Etta was a graduate of Gorham High School in Gorham, ME. She began her degree at Northeastern Business School in Portland, ME., and completed at the University of Maine receiving her Bachelors Degree, followed by a Master’s in Business Administration from Boston University.

Etta began her career teaching at The Katherine Gibbs School in Boston. She then worked as an executive secretary for Nixdorf Computer (now Siemens), and Apollo Computer (now Hewlett-Packard), before leaving to become the Administrator for Trinity Evangelical Church, in North Reading, until her retirement.

Etta had endless energy and a big heart. She had a sharp sense of humor and loved to laugh and spread Joy. She enjoyed spending time with her family, church family and friends. She always had time for those who reached out to her for counsel or comfort. Above all she loved God completely. She spent 37 years married to the love of her life and dedicated her life to God after his passing. She is now happy in heaven, reunited with Jesus and loved ones basking in the love of God, who she served with all her heart.

Family members include her loving children, Susan Gibbs Saccardo of North Reading, William Alan Gibbs of Wakefield, her sister, Dorothy Ramsdell of Litchfield, NH; her grandchildren Daniel Saccardo and Dahra Pote, her great grandson, Ernest Jae Saccardo, and her foster daughter, Wendy Mason of Lisbon, ME.

Her Funeral will be held at Trinity Evangelical Church, 105 Haverhill Street, North Reading on Friday, July 10 at 10:00 AM. Calling hours will be held at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading on Thursday, July 9 from 4 to 8 PM. Interment at Puritan Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Peabody. All current Covid-19 protocols and restrictions are in place and Funeral Home Capacity will be limited to a maximum of 50 people at one time. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be in her memory to the charity of one’s choice. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Casey, Leo Padraic, Jr.- Age 88 years, died peacefully on June 24, 2020 at his home in North Reading, MA in the loving care of his family.

Leo was born July 23, 1931 in Chelsea, MA to Mildred and Leo P. Casey. Leo and his siblings– Brian, Sheila, Donal and Carol–grew up in a household that appreciated both education and fun–literature and stickball, philosophy and touch football.

After graduating from Chelsea High School, Leo attended Boston College and graduated with a degree in Sociology.

Leo proudly served in the US Army from 1953 to 1955. After his time in the army, Leo obtained a Master’s Degree and advanced graduate certificate from Boston University in Counseling.

Leo’s first position in education was in Norwalk, CT as a middle school teacher, the start of a 37 year career in teaching and guidance. Leo spent many of these years as a guidance counselor in Melrose, MA Junior and Senior High School. Leo was a born listener and focused his energies on one student at a time. His non-judgmental presence helped many students at challenging times in their lives.

Early in his career Leo met and married Anne Hurley. The two were married on June 2, 1956 at St. Rose Church in Chelsea.

Leo always considered his greatest accomplishment to be his marriage of 64 years to Anne and his loving relationship with his 5 children and their spouses, 12 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. Leo believed strongly that the compassionate care of children was the key to a peaceful life, and every baby that came through Leo’s life was graced by his gentle and deep love.

Leo enjoyed his many years of golf with close friends, and especially his weekly outing with his special friend Jimmy Morse. Leo thought deeply about social issues and enjoyed lively discussions with colleagues. He treasured his time with family at the beach and around the pool and he had a long-term and consistent love for Boston sports teams.

 Leo was predeceased by siblings Brian, Sheila, Donal and Carol. Leo is lovingly remembered by his wife Anne, his daughter Kathy DiTroia and her husband Mike of North Andover, MA, his daughter Maureen Henderson and her husband Steve of Hampton, NH, his daughter Diane Shen and her husband Andy of Andover, MA, his daughter Paula Sandusky and her husband John of Stony Point, NY and his son Mike Casey and his wife Anne Marie of Newmarket, NH.

Leo was loving Papa to his grandchildren Kevin, Dan, Casey, Kristen, Marisa, Nikki, Danielle, Rosie, Eric, Erin, Clint and Kelly, and to his great-granddaughter Alice.

Funeral services will be private and are under the direction of the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. www.croswellfuneralhome.com In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in his memory to St. Jude’s Childrens Hospital at www.stjude.org

Robert  J.  Svehla – 61, of North Reading and formerly of Kentucky, died unexpectedly at his work on Monday, June 15, 2020.

Born in Lexington, KY on April 17, 1959, he was the son of the late William and Patricia (Sweeney) Svehla.

Rob was a graduate of North Reading High School, Class of 1977. He later attended the University of Kentucky and the University of Lowell.

He worked for the U.S. Postal Service in North Reading as a Mail Handler for 35+ years. He was a resident of North Reading for the past 49 years and was a member of St. Theresa’s Church.

Rob was a loving brother and uncle, who was up for anything and always making everyone laugh. When his nieces were younger, he was always playing sports with them in the yard or with beanie babies on the living room floor. His smile and red hair lit up a room and his silly jokes will be sorely missed.

Rob loved to cook and experiment with fresh ingredients. He could often be found watching Kentucky basketball games and cheering loudly for the Wildcats. He enjoyed listening to Jimmy Buffet and traveling to Key West with his brother. He loved to watch golf and would practice his swing often.

Family members include his loving sister, Carol A. Morrissey and her husband Phil; brothers, Michael Stanley Svehla and the late Richard William Svehla; nieces, Brenna and Rachel Morrissey.

In light of the current events, a memorial service for Rob will be held at a later date. Memorial donations may be made in Rob’s name to the American Heart Association, 300 5^th Ave., Suite 6, Waltham, MA 02451. Arrangements are by the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. www.croswellfuneralhome.com