Sally A. (Lord) Maker– 83, of North Reading, passed away at home with her loved ones on Thursday, June 11th, 2026, after a brief illness.

Born in Boston, Massachusetts on October 20th, 1942, she was the beloved daughter of the late Wilbur C. and Edith F. (Kitchell) Lord.

Sally was a lifelong resident of North Reading, graduating from North Reading High School, Class of 1960.

Sally worked for many years at Analog Devices, retiring early to care for her mother Edith. For the last 15 years, she kept busy working at Market Basket in Reading up until October of 2025.

She loved her grandchildren with all her heart and treasured their time and memories together, especially a trip to Disney World with her two grandchildren Nicole and Paul in 1999. She was blessed in life to become a Great Grandmother to Harper in 2018. Harper was truly the highlight of her day, every day. “Nanny” to Harper, and “Nana” to Nicole and Paul, Sally had a gift for making people feel loved.

Sally loved cooking meals for her family, like her famous chicken pot pie, a now legendary family heirloom recipe. She enjoyed sewing, knitting, camping, bingo, and trips to Foxwoods, but she loved nothing more than to be surrounded by family and her adored pets.

She leaves behind her loving family members, including: her husband George E. Maker Jr., daughter Diane Saraceno and her late husband Arthur, son Chris Maker, her beloved grandchildren: Nicole Saraceno, Paul Saraceno and his wife Catie Murphy Saraceno, and her favorite girl, her great granddaughter Harper, daughter of Nicole. Sally was surpassed in death by her brother George Lord and his wife Roberta, and her sister Nancy Porter and her husband Richard. Sally was also loved and survived by many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 18th from 4 to 7pm, followed by a service at 7pm at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the North Reading Food Pantry. Thank you. https://nrfoodpantry.org/donate

Linda I. Carpenter – 80, of Danvers and formerly of North Reading, passed away at the Kaplin Family Hospice House in Danvers on Tuesday, June 10, 2026.

Born in Stoneham, MA on February 18, 1946. She was the daughter of the late Walter F. and Florence I. (Neal) Carpenter.

She was raised and attended school in North Reading and was a graduate of North Reading High School, Class of 1963.

Linda worked as a waitress at Sam and Joe’s in Danvers and as a bartender for over twenty years at the Yankee Lounge in Peabody.

She enjoyed gardening and taking care of her cat and her fish.

Family members include her loving daughter Edith A. Carpenter of Peabody; her sister Lee MacNeil of Andover; her niece Jessie M. Lavacchia of Andover; she was the mother of the late Michelle Carpenter and sister of the late Gary Carpenter.

Her Graveside Service will be held on Monday, June 15 at 11:00 AM in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. There will be no calling hours. Memorial donations may be made in her memory to the Kaplin Family Hospice House, 78 Liberty Street, Danvers, MA 01923. Arrangements are under the direction of the Croswell Funeral Home. 19 Bow Street, North Reading.

www.croswellfuneralhome.com

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of our mother, Holly  (Waterhouse) Cochrane. She passed peacefully at home in Billerica on June 8,2026 at the age of 75 surrounded by her loving family. She was born on December 21, 1950 in Winchester to the late Paul and Roberta Waterhouse.            

Holly’s life was one of resilience, strength, and love.  She was a proud graduate of North Reading High School, Class of 1969.  She went on to further her education at the Andover School of Business.  Her professional career was marked by dedication and hard work.  She spent many years with the TJX corporation as a computer programmer, and later with the US Postal Service.  Most recently, she was employed as a CNA at Lahey Clinic in Burlington where she retired from in September 2024 after 16 years.

Holly was a woman with many talents and commitments.  She was a proud member of the Wakefield Elks where she spent many years playing Bingo on Sunday evenings with many of her friends. She helped organize and distribute Thanksgiving meals for needy families with her fellow Elk members. She was also a pivotal volunteer for the Wakefield Elks Common Ground outing that was held each year at Lake Quannapowitt. She later moved her Bingo playing to the Billerica Elks on Wednesday nights where she helped run the kitchen.  She made many lasting friendships throughout her life.

Holly was a single mother who worked tirelessly to provide a nurturing and loving home for her three daughters. Her family was her greatest joy and she cherished every moment that she spent with them. It was often requested for her to make lasagna, fruit pudding, and chicken wings for family gatherings.

She leaves behind a legacy of strength, generosity, love, and commitment.

Holly is survived by her three daughters and their husbands, Christa and Bob Withrow of Chelmsford, Shannon and Eddie MacDonald of Billerica, and Kim and Chris Climo of Chelmsford.  She leaves behind her nine grandchildren, Steven, Eddie, and Kyler MacDonald, Kaitlyn, Bobby, and Dylan Withrow, and Mikayla, Madison, and Mia Climo.  She was the great grandmother of Jackson MacDonald and Mackenzie and Allison Martinez.  

She is also survived by her four siblings of which she shared an especially close bond with her older sister Elizabeth Gagnon. She also leaves many nieces and nephews.

Holly’s presence was a blessing to all that were lucky to know her.  Her legacy will live on in her kids and grandkids.  She will forever remain in our hearts.  We take comfort knowing that she lived a full life and is now at peace where she is reunited with her loving parents. 

Family and friends are invited to celebrate her remarkable life at Croswell Funeral Home, located at 19 Bow Street, North Reading, MA on Monday, June 22 from 5:00 to 8:00 PM.

Roy Franklyn Walters -was born February 4, 1932 and passed away peacefully on June 1, 2026.

Born in Cambridge MA to Frank and Margaret (Von Euw) Walters, Roy grew up in Malden, MA prior to moving to Medford MA and graduating from Medford High School in 1949.

After serving overseas in the United States Army during the Korean conflict and being awarded several medals, he was honorably discharged in 1955. He returned to the United States to study engineering at Northeastern University. Working his way along and gaining experience through the cooperative program, he graduated in 1960 with a degree in mechanical engineering and began his career at the Air Force Geophysics Laboratory at Hanscom Field in Bedford MA designing rocket payloads. His career offered him the opportunity to travel around the world, sending rockets and weather balloons into the atmosphere for scientific research until his retirement in 1986. Roy then spent 10 years continuing his aerospace career at Frontier Technologies in Beverly.

In 1961 he married the love of his life Christina Boyajian and settled in North Reading where they would raise their family.

Never one to sit still, he continued to work until he was well into his late eighties.

Always active in the community, he was an participant in the Little School PTA, the Cub Scouts, a charter member of the re-created Minit and Militia Company of North Reading, a 50-year member of North Reading Lodge, AF&AM, a DeMolay advisor, the North Reading Historical Society, and a 40 year member of the Union Congregational Church. He also participated in several mechanical engineering societies.

Roy was a lifelong learner and the engineer in him always needed to know the hows, whys and wherefores of whatever he was involved with, even from people in the medical profession.

Overall, he never asked for respect—he inspired it.

He was predeceased by his father Frank Walters and stepmother Mary, his mother Margaret and stepfather Thomas McNally.

He is survived by his wife Chris of North Reading, son Russell (Kim) of Sandown NH, and son Eric of Staten Island NY.

He is also survived by several nieces, nephews and their families who all loved his sense of humor.

He will be missed by many friends, former work colleagues, association members, as well as past and present members of the North Reading community.

His funeral will be held on Monday, June 8 at 11:00 AM at the Union Congregational Church, 148 Haverhill Street, North Reading. Calling hours will be held on Sunday, June 7 from 1:00 to 5:00 PM at the Croswell Funeral Home,19 Bow Street, North Reading. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Union Congregational Church, 148 Haverhill Street, North Reading, MA 01864.

For Roy, yes it was rocket science!

www.croswellfuneralhome.com

   Helen M. Gray-January 23, 1948 – June 1, 2026

Helen M. Gray, beloved mother, grandmother, godmother, cousin, devoted friend, and cherished member of her community, passed away peacefully on June 1, 2026, at the age of 78.

Helen was the loving mother of Steven S. Albano of Everett and the proud grandmother of Marjorie H. Lever, also of Everett.

She was the devoted godmother and Second Mom to Gwen Gustafson and was lovingly regarded as a grandmother to Kristen, Jake, and Savannah, as well as to her three boys, Maverick, James, and Jordan, all of whom brought tremendous joy to her life.

She is also survived by her dear cousins, John Baxter and his wife Nora of North Branford, CT, and their son Evan; and Kenneth Baxter and his wife Verna of Plaistow, NH, and their daughters April, Karen, Susan, and Lauren, as well as many extended family members and friends.

Helen was cherished deeply by all who knew her, especially her firefighter family. Until her retirement in 2017, after 17 dedicated years, she faithfully served as administrative support to the Fire Chief of the North Reading Fire Department. Her commitment, loyalty, and compassion made her an irreplaceable part of the department and a trusted friend to countless firefighters and their families.

A God-fearing woman with a generous heart, Helen devoted her life to caring for others before herself. She was a true humanitarian whose kindness knew no limits. Whether offering comfort, guidance, or simply a listening ear, Helen touched the lives of everyone around her with warmth, grace, and unwavering love.

Her strength, faith, and selflessness will be remembered always. Helen leaves behind a legacy of compassion, service, and unconditional love that will continue to live on through all who were blessed to know her.

She will be profoundly missed and forever remembered.

Her Funeral will be held on Friday, June 5 at 9:15 AM from the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading followed by a 10:30 AM Funeral Mass at St. Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter Street, North Reading. Calling hours will be held on Thursday, June 4 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM. Interment will follow at Puritan Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Peabody. Memorial donations may be made in her memory to the North Reading Fire Department, 152 Park Street, North Reading, MA 01864.

www.croswellfuneralhome.com