Bernice N. Cote – age 81. Born in Salem, MA on December 23,1934, she was a longtime resident of North Reading, MA and recently D’ Youville Senior Care Center in Lowell, MA, where she passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 9th 2016, after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease.
Born Bernice Natalie LaPointe on December 23rd 1934 in Salem, MA and lived there until moving with her husband Gerard Cote and 3 sons to North Reading in 1963 where she resided for many years. Always precise in her work and organizational skills she became recognized as an exceptional secretary. Bernice was an active member for the town of North Reading working for the school committee. She was also employed at American Mutual Insurance Company in Wakefield, MA for several years. Later she worked as the Office Manager for Robin Hood Camp in Sargentville, ME. She loved her summers there, easily made many friends. Robin Hood became her favorite place to be over her 29 years there and made a huge positive impact on her life. She enjoyed her family, entertained her grandchildren singing funny children’s songs to them. She loved to travel and had wonderful trips across America and Canada. She will be remembered for her loving charm, quick wit and generous humor. She was loved by all that had the pleasure to be part of her life.
Bernice leaves behind her three sons, Peter Cote of Dracut, MA, David Cote of Agawam, MA and Christopher Cote of Somerville, MA. She was one of five siblings; Denise Konos (deceased) of Danvers, MA, Henry LaPointe (deceased) Amherst, NH, Arthur LaPointe of Stow, MA and brother Roger LaPointe of Danvers, MA.
Grammy’s grandsons, Alex Cote of Pelham, NH, John Paul Cote of Agawam, MA; granddaughters, Nicole (Cote) Hunt of Florida, Amanda Cote of Framingham, MA and Emmaline Cote of Boston, MA.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation. https://www.michaeljfox.org
Calling hours will be held at Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading on Friday, October 21st from 4 to 6:30 PM, followed by a Memorial Service starting at 6:30 PM. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

William J. Knight, Jr. – 78, of Reading, formerly of North Reading, died Sunday, October 9 at the Lahey Hospital and Medical Center in Burlington.
Born on May 2, 1938, he was the son of the late William J. Sr. and Gertrude A. (White) Knight. He was raised and attended school in Reading and was a 45 year resident of North Reading. He was a member of St. Theresa’s Church, a former member of the Moose Lodge, both in North Reading and a member of the Middleton Gun Club. He was a truck driver for many years for Ormes Transportation in Wilmington.
Bill was a family man, first of all. His family, his children and grandchildren meant everything to him. He loved having a family cookout every year in his younger years and getting all the family together. Bill loved to be out with his friends, going out to eat and driving down along the ocean shore, and he loved going target shooting at his gun club. Boating and fishing were his happy places.
Family members include his Loving wife of 57 years, Mary (Blanchard) Knight, his son, James Edward Knight and his wife Christina of North Reading; daughters, Patricia Anne Kyte and husband Steve of Lowell, the late Sandra Jeanne Poole, and husband Dana Poole of Lawrence; late brother, Ronald J. Knight; grandchildren, Nicholas , Angella Knight, Kristin (Poole) Cocciardi and Shawn Poole.
His funeral will be held from the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading on Thursday, October 20 at 8:45 AM, followed by a 10:30 AM Funeral Mass at St. Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter Street (Rt. 62), North Reading. Calling hours will be held prior to the funeral from 8:45 AM to 10 AM. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in his memory to: American Cancer Society, 30 Speen Street, Framingham, MA 01701. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Clementine Marie Schaefer, age 89, of North Reading, MA passed away suddenly on October 10, 2016. Clementine, “Clem”, was born April 8th, 1927 in Staten Island NY, the daughter of the late  Joseph and Lena Tassi. She is survived by her loving husband of nearly 69 years, Warren H. Schaefer.  Together they had 4 children, Kenneth and his wife Virginia Schaefer of Naples FL, Janet and her husband Dennis Frasca of North Reading,MA, Richard and his wife Karen Schaefer of North Reading MA, and the late Robert and his wife Brooke Schaefer of North Reading MA. She was the loving Nana of 9 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. Clem enjoyed traveling, spending time in her garden, and visiting with family, friends, and neighbors. She had a passion for life: an avid Red Sox fan, Clem would pile groups of kids in her car to catch a game and, with her artistic talents, she created numerous sand castles worthy of the amateur prize at the Crane’s Beach competitions. She will be truly missed by all that knew her.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to National Wildlife Federation at https://www.nwf.org/How-to-Help/More-Ways-to-Give/Memorial-Gifts.aspx

www.croswellfuneral home.com

*Not for social media *

Helen  M. (Rymsha) Narekiewicz – 96, of Middleton, formerly of West Peabody and North Reading, died at her home on Thursday, October 6, 2016. She was the beloved wife of the late Anthony Narekiewicz.

Born in Cambridge, MA on November 2, 1919. She was the daughter of the late Michael and Antonina (Andreskitch) Rymsha. Helen owned and operated the Village Beauty Salon in North Reading for twenty five years.

Helen was an artist and painted beautiful oil and watercolor paintings. She loved the Red Sox and never missed a game on TV. She was a dedicated and loving mother and grandmother.

Family members include her loving children, Anthony J. Novack and his wife Cecelia of Middleton, Carol Staff of Fort Myers, FL and her late husband John and the late Monica Martinho and her late husband Nicholas; her sister, Elizabeth Lopez of Revere; grandchildren, Maureen Libby, Lawrie Kelley, Cheryl, Mike  and John Staff, Anthony and Lisa Martinho and Anthony Novack, Jr.;great grandchildren, RJ, Nicholas, Sophia, and Anthony Libby, Patrick, Matthew and Lauren Kelley, Luke and Jake Martinho, Carley and Tyler Staff, Craig Flammia and Lilly Balkan.

Her Funeral Mass will be held at St. Agnes Church, 22 Boston Street (Rt. 62), Middleton on Friday, October 14 at 10:30 AM, followed by Interment in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. There will be no calling hours. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in her memory to the charity of one’s choice. Arrangements are by the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. WWW.Croswellfuneralhome.com