Dorothy (Christie) Armstrong –  It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dorothy (Christie) Armstrong, who left us peacefully on January 7th, 2025, at the age of 81. Dorothy was born on December 19th, 1943, in North Reading, MA. to Vernon and Mary (Quinton) Christie.

Dorothy married the love of her life Robert G. Armstrong, Sr., on May 1st, 1964. They retired to Florida in 1998 where they enjoyed watching the dolphins while they drank coffee in the mornings. They had a long and loving marriage until his passing in 2002.

Dorothy had a remarkable green thumb, tending to plants and a garden with love and care. Her home was always full of vibrant colors and amazing plant growth. Dorothy was also a skilled crocheter, turning a simple ball of yarn into intricate, cozy works of art for everyone around her.

Dorothy is survived by her children: Robert G. Armstrong, Jr. and his wife Alice of Methuen, MA., Joseph M. Armstrong and his wife Nadine of Vero Beach, FL., and Michelle A. Armstrong of Shirley, MA.; and grandchildren Amanda, Rebecca, Dale, Cole, Olivia, Chloe, and Skylar. Dorothy also leaves behind her loving and devoted sisters Laura Murphy, Mildred Owen, and Mary McGuinness. Dorothy leaves behind not only her loving family but also her beloved bird, Pearl, who brought her joy every single day.

A service to celebrate her life will be held Thursday January 23rd at 11am at Croswell Funeral Home in North Reading, MA. followed by a burial at Riverside Cemetery. Visitation preceding from 9:30am-11am

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Susan J. Hancock – 66, of Haverhill and formerly of Andover, passed away on Saturday, January 11, 2025.

Born in East Boston, MA on October 25, 1958. She was the daughter of the late Elizabeth A. (Post) and Ronald E. Hancock. She was raised and attended school in Andover and was a graduate of Andover High School.

Susan was a retired Security Guard Supervisor. She has been a resident of Haverhill for the past 40 years.

She was always kind. She would always do everything for everyone else except herself. Susan had a great passion for her trips to Disney World and riding her motorcycle.

Family members include her loving son Joshua Hancock and his wife Patricia; brothers, Ronald Hancock, Richard Hancock and his partner Michelle Chouinard, Ralph Hancock and his wife Lisa and Robert Hancock; sisters, Helen Hagman and Betty Ann Hancock; 3 grandchildren, Kylie, Domonic and Elizabeth Hancock.

Her funeral will be held on Friday, January 17 from the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading at 9:15 AM, followed by a10:30 AM Funeral Mass at St. Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter Street, North Reading. Calling hours will be on Thursday, January 16 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. Memorial donations may be made in her memory to the charity of one’s choice. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

David E. Reed, 75, of North Reading, moseyed through the pearly gates on January 4, 2025 after a long and courageous battle with Huntington’s Disease. The son of the late Floyd and Mildred (Gates) Reed, he hailed from Barre, VT, attending Spaulding High School where he excelled in academics, as well as in the dramatic arts. His numerous awards and accolades included a scholarship to Northeastern University, where he met the love of his life, Mary Morelli.

In addition to earning a B.A. in History, David obtained a M.A. in Education from Suffolk University and a M.B.A. also from Northeastern University.

David and Mary settled in North Reading to raise their family, where David became involved in youth softball, serving as a coach and board member for several years. Always active in the community, he helped build the original KidSpot playground on Chestnut Street.

He continued his love of theater, performing as Colonel Pickering in “My Fair Lady,” and as one of the Gangsters in “Kiss Me Kate,” both with North Regional Theater Workshop. His greatest performance, as he loved to tell, was as  Firefrorefiddle, the Fiend of the Fell.

As a 32nd degree Mason, David served as Worshipful Master of North Reading Lodge AF & AM, High Priest of Waverly Royal Arch Chapter, District Deputy Grand High Priest of the Seventh Capitular District, Illustrious Master of Melrose Council – Council of Royal and Select Master Masons, Commander of Metro North Commandery #20, High Priest of St. Paul’s Royal Arch Chapter, Master of the 13th Lodge of Instruction, and a member of the Degree Team for Mt. Moriah. In 2011, he was awarded the coveted Joseph Warren Medal by The Grand Lodge of Massachusetts.

David combined his love of public speaking with his gift of storytelling serving as a tour guide for the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts in Boston.

He had a quick wit, with a love of Dad jokes and puns. His competitive spirit emerged around all games, especially Monopoly and Trivial Pursuit.

In addition to his wife of 51 years, Mary, he is survived by his daughters, Meredith (Reed) Cailler and her husband Craig of Tewksbury, Jillian (Reed) String and her husband Andrew of Lynnfield, his grandchildren Ava Cailler, Neal, Noah, and Nathan String, his sisters Margaret (Reed) Newhall and her husband Douglas of Manchester, NH, Eleanor (Reed) Gaudette of Rutland, VT, his brother James Reed of Berlin, VT, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Calling hours will be held at Croswell Funeral Home 19 Bow St, North Reading on Saturday, January 18 from 10:00 AM to 1:30 with a public Masonic funeral service from 1:30 to 2:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Huntington’s Disease Society of America at www.hdsa.org or Huntington’s Disease Society of America 505 Eighth Avenue Suite 1402 New York, New York 10018. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Stephanie (Leonard) Spina – 82, of Wilmington and formerly of North Reading, passed away on Saturday, December 14, 2024 at Windsor Place in Wilmington.

Born in Brighton, MA on October 8, 1942. She was the daughter of the late Joseph and Edith (Leiviska) Leonard. Stephanie was a graduate of Boston State College and later received her Master’s Degree from Salem State University.

Stephanie was a teacher for the North Reading School System, she was a Title 1 Teacher from the mid 70’s to the early 80’s. She later taught for the Methuen School System from the early 80’s to her retirement in 2005.

She was known for her dry sarcastic sense of humor and wit. She loved teaching and had a smile for everyone.

Stephanie loved to travel with her longtime friend Nancy, she enjoyed quilting and was an avid reader. She especially loved her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was a resident of Wilmington for the past 3 years and a member of St. Theresa’s Church in North Reading.

Family members include her loving son Anthony and his wife Kelly and their children Laura and Anthony, Jr.; Joseph and his wife Melissa Condry and their children, Samantha and her fiancé Chris; great grandchildren James and Thomas; granddaughters Julia and Sean Joly and Madison; her daughter Maria and partner Mark Berry; her brother Vincent Leonard and wife Patricia; nieces Christine Curtin and Laurie and husband Brian Page and late nephew Paul Leonard; sister-in-law Lorna Benedict and the late husband Albert; niece Sheryl and Paul Sciaudone; nephew Brian Benedict and Lisa; and her longtime childhood friend Nancy Maguire.

Her funeral will be held at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading on Thursday, December 19 at 10:00 AM. Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, December 18 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM. Memorial donations may be made in her memory to the Alzheimer’s Association, MA/NH Chapter Headquarters, 320 Nevada St., Suite 201, Newton, MA 02460 (alz.org/ MANH/).

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Penelope A. (Smith) Colburne, 96, of Reading, formerly of North Reading and East Boston, passed away on Friday, December 13, 2024 at the High Pointe House in Haverhill. She was the beloved wife of the late Ronald D. Colburne, Sr.

Born in Boston, MA, on May 3, 1928, she was the daughter of the late Robert C. and Margaret V. (Coughlin) Smith. She was a graduate of East Boston High School, Class of 1946.

Penelope grew up in East Boston with her late sisters, Helen M. Potter and Natalie V. McCarthy. She vacationed in North Reading, where she met the love of her life, Ron. They were happily married and lived on Martins Pond for just shy of 50 years.  She was a school bus driver for C&W Transportation for 12 years and retired from Compugraphic in 1994, where she worked for 17 years.

Her home was always open to all, whether it was someone who needed a place to stay or just a meal. She baked for everyone and was well known for her spaghetti dinners and famous for her brownies.

She will be missed by her loving family, who have many happy memories of summers spent at their beloved Lanes End on Lake Winnipesaukee. She had been a resident of Reading for the past 15 years and was a member of St. Theresa’s Church in North Reading.

Family members include her loving son, Ronald D. Colburne, Jr. and his wife, Susan, of North Reading; her daughters, Pennianne Mullarky and her husband, Dana, of Methuen; Pamela Colburne and her husband, Mark Bossard, of Bradenton, FL; and Priscilla Colburne and her fiancé, Patrick Messer, of Pineview, GA; three grandchildren, Ryan Mullarky, Courtney DelMonico, and Ross Colburne; two great-grandchildren, Tyler LeBaron and Baylee DelMonico; and two very special nieces, Peggy Donaher and Betsy McCarthy.

Her funeral will be held from the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, on Wednesday, December 18, beginning at 9:15 AM, followed by a 10:30 AM Funeral Mass at St. Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter Street, North Reading. Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, December 17, from 4 to 8 PM. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in her memory to the American Heart Association, 7272 Greenville Ave., Dallas, TX 75231.

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