Joleen (Glidden) Ham – 85, of North Reading, MA, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 12, 2018 at the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers, MA.

Joleen was born in Portland, ME on April 29, 1933 to Edwin S. and J. Elizabeth “Betty” (Winton) Glidden.  She graduated from Deering High School in Portland, ME in 1951 and from Wheelock College in Boston in 1955 with a degree in early childhood education.   She was the first in her family to graduate from college and remained very active in Wheelock’s alumni activities for her class.  She was a former director of the Hilltop Nursery School in North Reading.

Joleen was a long-time member of the Union Congregational Church in North Reading and was part of the church choir, the Care Committee and loved her friends in the Serendipity Circle.  She enjoyed knitting prayer shawls for the Care Committee and decorating wreathes for the annual Frosty’s Fair.

She loved to sing and, in addition to being in the church choir, had been part of numerous community groups including the “Jubilaires”, the North Regional Theatre Workshop, the North Reading Community Chorale, and, most recently, the “Senior Echoes”.

She loved spending her summers at Chewonki Campground in Wiscasset, ME where she and her family camped for over 50 years.  It was truly her “home away from home.” And, naturally, it came with the added bonus of having her favorite steamed clams and lobsters fresh from the Maine ocean.

She was loved and will be missed by her husband of 64 years, Richard W. Ham of North Reading; her children, Deborah Ham of Peabody, MA; David W. Ham of Merrimack, NH; and Elizabeth V. “Betsey” Driscoll and her husband Raymond of Dracut, MA; and her grandchildren, Matthew R. Driscoll and his wife Holly of Billerica, MA; Hayley E. Driscoll and her fiancé Benjamin Regan of Lowell, MA; Adam T. Driscoll of Dracut, MA and Nicholas R Driscoll of Dracut, MA; her brother, Richard B. Glidden and his wife Mary of Fairport, NY; and several nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joleen’s memory to Chewonki Campgound, P.O. Box 261, Wiscasset, ME 04578 or the Union Congregational Church, 148 Haverhill Street, North Reading, MA 01864.  A private family memorial service will be held at a later date. Arrangements are by the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

SALLY (HOLT) AVJIAN-A resident of North Reading, MA for 53 years passed on September 8, 2018.

Sally, 78 years old, was born to the late Louis & Helen Holt of Lexington, MA

She was married to her loving husband, Albert Avjian for 54 years.Together, Sally and Al had three daughters: Marlene married to David Johnson; Andrea married to Joseph Ridgley; and Karen Demers, married to Jeffrey Demers.  Her daughter, Andrea, is the mother of her three grandchildren: Thomas, Valerie and Roy.  Sally also leaves a stepson, Robert Avjian his wife Susan and three grandchildren: Dara, Eryn and Sean Avjian.  She is survived by two sisters, Judith Burke of Waltham, MA and Susan Peterson of Billerica, MA.  Her two brothers, Richard and Kenneth Holt, deceased.

She graduated from Lexington High School in 1958.  She was active in the Lexington High School Alumni and attended the 50^th year reunion.  Sally was a frequent community volunteer and attended the Aldersgate United Methodist Church where she was the church Secretary and produced the church newsletter.  She was a member of the Book Study Group and assisted in the Annual Bazaar as well as other events.

Sally was employed at Sumaria Systems, Inc. and retired as Office Manager in 2013 after 24 years.

During her daughter’s formative years, she was a Girl Scout Leader and President of the Patriots Trail Girl Scout Council.  A member for 28 years in the Mystic Valley Railway Society, Inc. Sally was a Tour Leader, Trip Planner and Recording Secretary.  She retired with the title of Emeritus and remained active in the Association.  Sally was President of The Holt Association of America, Inc. which she carried out the Annual Reunion and retired after 18 years of service.

Sally’s hobbies included being a life-long Elvis Presley fan and has visited his home and airplane.  She also was a Rubber Stamp aficionado with a huge collection of stamps.  Her 65 faithful Pen Pals as well as friends and relatives always looked forward to receiving her beautifully decorated cards, envelopes and letters.

Visitation: Friday 9/14/2018 4-7PM at Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading, MA Service: Saturday 9/15/2018 at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 235 Park St, North Reading, MA 10AM.   

Private family burial will be in  Riverside Cemetery.

Donations may be made to Aldersgate/kitchen fund.

Margaret  T. “Peggy” (Pomes) Costa – 96, of North Reading and formerly of Boston, died Friday, September 7, 2018 at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. She was the beloved wife of the late Salvatore R. Costa.

Born in Boston, MA on February 15, 1922, she was the daughter of the late Henry and Helen (Harrington) Pomes. Peggy graduated high school in Boston.

She worked as a waitress for many years at the Hillview Country Club, the Barnside in North Reading and the Ye Olde Redding House.

Peggy was a resident of North Reading for 69 years. She was a member of St. Theresa’s Church and a former Girl Scout and 4-H Leader.

Until the day she departed, Peggy was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, great- great grandmother and friend. She was a hard worker, a woman of faith and a friend to many. She loved to travel, taking many cruises, road trips and flights to places far and near with her husband, children and grandchildren. When she was home, Peggy enjoyed knitting, sewing, reading and crafting (especially with her grandchildren).

Above all else, Peggy loved her family. She was happiest when celebrating with them, no matter what the occasion. Her family loved looking on as she danced around the floor with her beloved Salvatore at countless weddings and was blessed to have her present to share countless graduations christenings, first communions and birthdays.

Without question, Christmas with her family and closest friends was her favorite. Even into her 90s, she insisted on everyone gathering at her home (no matter how crowded it might get) and sharing dinner, gifts, memories and laughter. She passed peacefully surrounded by family. She loved deeply and was deeply loved.

Family members include her loving son, Steven M. Costa of North Reading; daughters and sons-in-law, Joanna and Ed Hickey of Hampton Beach;   Helene and Joseph Tracey of Exeter, NH; Paula and the late Charles Emmons of Waterboro, ME; Donna and Richard Scott of Haverhill; and Lynne and Robert Haynes of Hampstead, NH; her brother, Donald Pomes of Honolulu, HI; 15 grandchildren: Dianna Powers, Eddie Hickey, Annmarie Kilty, Sarah Hill, Joseph, Jeffrey and Jonathan Tracey, Andrea and Aleta Emmons, Amanda Ramirez, Wesley, Carrie and Adam Scott, Megan Malcolm and Katie Haynes; 29 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren.

Calling hours will be held on Thursday, September 13 from 4 to 8 PM. at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading.  A Funeral Procession will begin at the Croswell Funeral Home on Friday, September 14 at 9:15 AM, followed by a 10:30 AM Funeral Mass at St. Theresa’s Church 63 Winter Street (Rt. 62), North Reading.  Memorial donations may be made in her memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Leon Victor Bernier – 82, of Waterstone at the Circle in Boston and formerly of North Reading, died at his home on Wednesday, September 5, 2018.

Lee was born in Northampton, MA on March 29,1936 and received his Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst.

Upon graduation, Lee served in the U.S. Air Force from 1958 to 1966 as a pilot of the KC-135 aircraft. He was a distinguished Veteran of the Vietnam War and earned the rank of Captain.

After leaving the military, Lee and his wife Anne settled in North Reading to raise their three children and remained in town as residents for over 50 years.  Lee enjoyed his career and passion as an airline pilot for American Airlines for over 30 years.

Lee will be remembered by his loving wife Anne (Leyden) Bernier of 56 years; his son, Kevin Bernier; his daughters, Nanette Villandry and her husband Richard  and Cathleen Bernier-Garzon; his six beautiful grandchildren, Jessica and Anthony Fino, Nicole and Cali Bernier, and Nicholas and Gabriel Bernier-Garzon, his great grandson, Julian Donald, his parents Laurant Victor Bernier and Miriam (McNerny) Bernier and his brothers, Stephen Bernier and the late Kenneth Bernier.

“A special thank you” is extended to Dr. Komer and Dr. Einstein for all their love and care that they extended to Lee.

We will always carry your memory in our hearts.

A private service will be held at the Croswell Funeral Home on Thursday, September 13, 2018, per the family’s request, there will be no calling hours.   A private Interment will be held in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading.  Memorial donations may be made in his memory to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959 or to the American Bladder Cancer Society.  www.croswellfuneralhome.com 

Janet  L. (Marcisak) Stickle – 57, of North Reading and formerly of Brooklyn, New York, died Thursday, September 6, 2018 at the Sawtelle Family Hospice House in Reading, after a long illness.

She was born in Brooklyn, New York on February 12,1961.  She has been a resident of North Reading since 1990.

Family members include her loving husband Walter L. Stickle and her two sons Jaden River Stickle and Jackson Ocean Stickle, all of North Reading;  Her parents Paula (Mushkin) Marcisak of New York and a part time North Reading resident and the late Nicholas Marcisak;  her  aunt Myrna Davis of Sag Harbor, NY;  cousin and childhood best friend  Matt Davis of Sag Harbor, NY.  The water references in her son’s names were very intentional as she believed in the idea that soft things can still move mountains and sculpt continents

Janet grew up in the NYC public school system, attended Queens Community College, and later in life pursued further education at Merrimack College in North Andover MA.

She worked for various technology companies including Perception Technologies and FTP Software, and when she became a manager, she built friendships with her employees.  She also worked as a VJ, projecting video on screen for a local band.

Janet, more than most people was   motivated by love.  She was extremely outgoing and loved doing things for other people. But threaten her friends or family in any way and she would go full-on mama bear. Janet was generous with her time.  She was an area director for the Science Fiction convention Arisia, volunteered in the schools, for the Cub Scouts, conservation causes, and was a state delegate in politics.

Janet identified as a “Dead Head”.  She loved the music of the Grateful Dead, and the culture they created.   She followed them around on tour several times in the US and once through Europe.

Janet loved crafts and woodworking and built furniture and art for her home. The greatest joy in her life was becoming a mom, and her children, Jaden and Jackson, were the reason she fought so tenaciously to hang on to life.   Even her doctors said she was going above and beyond.

Her Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, September 8 at 4:00 PM, followed by visitation until 6:00 PM at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading.  Memorial Donations made in her memory would be welcomed to Wikimedia, or Doctors without Borders, or Big Brother/Big Sister, or Heifer International.  www.croswellfuneralhome.com