Anita Patricia (Bigley) Hughes, 100 years young, died peacefully August 12, 2025 at Brightview Danvers after a period of declining health. Anita was born in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia on March 4, 1925. She was the ninth and youngest child of Josephine (Donahue) and Thomas Bigley. Shortly after her birth the family relocated to Everett, MA where she was raised and educated. She was a 1943 graduate of Everett High School. She was employed as a secretary in Boston until she met and married the love of her life, the late Joseph W. Hughes. Anita and Joe soon moved to Lynn, MA where they raised their family of four children. She spent their childhood as a homemaker, returning to work part time at a local nursing home when in what would be most people’s retirement years. After she retired, Joe and Anita enjoyed caring for their youngest son Joe Jr and spending time with their grandchildren. After Joe’s death in 2003 Anita relocated to North Reading and then to Brightview in Wakefield where she was known to say, “I never knew I could be so happy in my 90’s!” Anita loved her family and friends, always was interested in their lives and was very proud of her children and grandchildren’s accomplishments. Anita was a devoted and loving daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and sister.

Anita is survived by her daughter JoAnn and her husband Paul Gallant of North Reading, MA, son Lt. Col Paul Hughes, USMC (ret) and his wife Lisa of Rochester, MA., her son in law Cmdr. Stephen V. Burke, USN (ret) of Rochester, MA, her grandchildren Jeffrey (Lacy) Hughes, Lindsay (Alden) Tallman, Amy (Brian) Salt, Collyn Gallant, Joseph (Denva) Gallant, Stephen Burke, and Erin Burke and her great-grandchildren Braelyn, Eli, and Cassius Hughes, and Gus, Jack, Nora, and Leah Tallman. She was predeceased by her husband Joseph W. Hughes, Sr, her daughter Marylee Burke, son Joseph W. Hughes, Jr, and grandson Thomas Bigley Hughes, her brothers John and Edward Bigley, and sisters Mary Sudant, Elizabeth Shaw, Sr Catherine Laboure, Clara Sullivan, Rita Murphy, and Frances Durney. She also leaves many nieces, nephews and friends, all of whom she loved very much.

She would love everyone to raise a glass before a good meal and remember her.

Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, August 22 at 11:00 AM, at St, Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter Street, North Reading. Visitation will be held prior to the Funeral Mass  from 9:30 to 10:30 AM at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. Interment will be at a later date. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in her memory to the charity of one’s choice.

www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Pamela E. (Davis) Overton – 78, of Bedford, NH, Nashua, NH, Stoneham, MA and formerly of Melrose, MA, died Sunday, August 10, 2025, at the Ridgewood Center in Bedford, NH, after lengthy illness.

Born in Lynn, MA on April 3, 1947, she was the daughter of the late Sumner C. and Katie Orlena (Stewart) Davis. She was raised in Melrose and was a graduate of Melrose High School, Class of 1964. Pamela later graduated from Chandler School for Women in Boston.

Pam worked for many years for the Food and Drug Administration as a Consumer Safety Technician and later worked a second job, as a receptionist for the Aberjona Nursing Home.

Pam loved her family and enjoyed spending time with everyone. Pam had a kind heart and a warm smile for everyone she met. She always put others before herself. Pam enjoyed watching old TV shows and movies with friends. Pam loved animals, especially her Scout and raised many dogs, cats and birds with her son Benjamin.

Family members include, her brother Sumner C. Davis, Jr. and his wife Diane; her sister Paula J. Edwards and her sister-in-law Kathy Davis, Several nieces and nephews; Previously predeceased by her son Benjamin Overton, her late brother Stephen Davis and brother- in law John “Tim” Edwards.

Her funeral will be held on Saturday, August 16, at 11:00 AM at the Croswell Funeral Home,19 Bow Street, North Reading. Visitation will be held on Friday evening from 6 to 8 PM. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading.

Li-Ting  “Terry” Huang – 43, of North Reading, formerly of Medford and Taipei, Taiwan, died at her home on Tuesday, August 5, 2025. Terry’s passing was due to long a battle with cancer which she fought against bravely and fiercely for several years.

Born in Taipei, Taiwan on August 22, 1981. She was the daughter of Yu-Ning  Huang and Mei-Lan Huang. She attended high school in Orlando, Florida, Boston University and received her D.D.S. from UIC Chicago Dental.

Terry was a highly accomplished dentist with her own practice, All Star Dental and All Pro Dental. She was not only a talented and a dedicated dentist, who cared deeply for her patients. She was also a very good Boss to her employees.

She was a loving wife and a proud mother of three beautiful young children, ages 4, 6, and 7. Her warmth, kindness, and gentle spirit touched everyone who had the privilege of knowing her.

Besides her parents, she is survived by her loving husband, Tien-Chun Cheng; her son, Maximus Cheng; daughters, Isabella Cheng and Amelia Cheng. She has been a resident of North Reading for the past seven years.

Visitation will be private. Her Funeral Service will be held at the Trinity Evangelical  Church, 105 Haverhill Street in North Reading on Wednesday,  August 13 at 10:00 AM. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in her memory to the charity of one’s choice. Arrangements are under the direction of the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading.

www.croswellfuneralhome.com

The World According to George

George Le Fort was legendary and, first and foremost, a much-loved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. He died August 6, 2025, after a courageous fight with pancreatic cancer.

His spirit was unbreakable, his joy contagious; strong like bull, he lived each day to the fullest and never let cancer steal his spark. George leaves behind a legacy as the ultimate player, an embodiment of fun, a child at heart who brought joy, chaos, and laughter wherever he went.

George is survived by his wife of 36 years, Arminda Le Fort; daughters Alessandra McKenna (John);  Kara Le Fort; and granddaughters Avianna, Vaila, and Lenara. He is also survived by his siblings Joanne LeFort and Camilla LeFort-Polesel(Valerio); sister-in-law Maria Goddard (David); and many nieces and nephews.

Born in Toronto, Ontario, on May 7, 1958, George was the middle of three children of Patrick Alfred and Lenora Le Fort – and from an early age, he was already a master of pranks, a curious spirit, a driven athlete, and an adventurer. After attending Acadia University in Nova Scotia (where he wrestled both on the mat and occasionally with authority), he made his way to the Boston area to start the next chapter of his life.

A self-made man, George launched his business career with nothing more than an unshakeable belief in his ideas and that enough sweat could turn into success. He worked hard and played harder. He often stated that he was “just here for your entertainment” and never missed a chance to share his humor.

George was a man of endless curiosity and unstoppable enthusiasm. Over the years, he was a passionate inventor, teacher, tennis player, activist, skier — and that’s still not the full list. If it could be built, fixed, grown, or dreamed up, George was all in. Generous to his core, he spent countless hours helping family, friends, and neighbors with projects big and small. No matter the challenge, he showed up with boundless energy and the belief that nothing was impossible if you gave it your all.

In true George fashion, even in death, he found a way to help others — he arranged to be accepted into Harvard Medical School’s anatomical donor program, ensuring his legacy will continue to teach and inspire for years to come.

George lived life on his own terms — fully, loudly, joyfully — and leaves behind a legacy of laughter, generosity, and the unshakeable belief that anything is possible with enough heart and hustle.

In honor of George, donations may be made to Pancreatic Cancer or a cause he was passionate about:  Moms Demand Action.

A celebration of life will be held on Sunday September 21, 2025, 12:30-4:30 at Spinellis 10 Newbury St, Peabody, MA 01960.

WWW.Croswellfuneralhome.com

Barry Alan Graf – 74, of North Reading and formerly of Melrose, passed away on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, at the Sawtelle Family Hospice House in Reading, after a lengthy illness, he was the son of the late Austin and Evelyn (Holland) Graf.

He was a graduate of Melrose High School, Class of 1970 and Essex Community College, where he received his Associate Degree.

Barry worked as a Security Officer for 1^st Security, then Securitas.

Barry loved working with his hands and doing carpentry work. He worked with local theater groups on sound and lighting, He was a very caring person and was also volunteer for the Red Cross.

Barry has been a resident North Reading for the past 40 years and a member of the Aldersgate United Methodist Church. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge in North Reading, he served as Past Master. He was very active in the Order of Eastern Star, where he was Past Patron, and currently Worthy Patron and Past Grand Officer for the State. He remained very active on a state level until his death. He worked there at both state and local levels.

Family members include  his loving wife of 43 years, Shaenaeus (Silver) Graf; brothers, Austin of Peabody and Douglas of Raleigh Durham, North Carolina; sisters, Janet of New Hampshire, Gail of Amesbury and the late Marilyn.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, September 20, 2025 at 1:00 PM at the Reading Masonic Temple, at the corner of Haven and Linden Streets      in Reading. There will be a Masonic Service and Eastern Star service at 2:00 PM. Donations may sent to Grand Chapter Order of Eastern Star-Isadore Forbes Benevolent Fund. Arrangements are under the direction of the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. www.croswellfuneralhome.com