Marilyn J. (Jacquard) Reynolds, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 12, 2020 at 84 years young.

Born to Mary E. and Nelson J. Jacquard from Quinan, Nova Scotia, Canada, she was raised in Wakefield along with 9 brothers and sisters.  She married her loving husband Harold B. Reynolds Jr.in 1954 and moved to North Reading in 1959 where they raised 6 children until moving back to her childhood home in 2016. 

As an NRPD special police officer, Marilyn may be best known as the first female uniformed officer beginning as a crossing guard in 1972 and then could often be seen on road details, cruiser duty, and fulfilling Matron responsibilities.

She shared her talent of cooking and baking for the restaurants she worked at by making homemade soups and desserts for the customers. She created beautiful baby blankets and afghans for family and friends. She also never missed a date to send a greeting card for all occasions.

Through the years, Marilyn enjoyed her time spent at camp each summer, the annual bowling league weekend getaways, Atlantic City excursions, daily coffee gatherings, and especially spending time with family.

She is survived by her children, Raymond Reynolds and wife Becky, Brenda Pitcher-Kenney and husband James, Kathleen Fumicello and husband Michael, Terri Grover and husband Bill, Ellen Coleman, and Richard Reynolds.

Nine grandchildren, Kelley Pitcher-Taft; Annmarie Fumicello Ironfield, Michael Fumicello; Emily Ulceus, Elizabeth Littlefield, Bill and Stephanie Grover; Steven and Matthew Coleman and 3 great grandchildren.  She is also survived by siblings Andrew, Leonard, Lynda and her best friend Marie, and brother-in law James Reynolds, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Calling hours will be held at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow St, North Reading on Wednesday, December 16 from 4 to 8 PM. Masks must be worn and social distancing rules apply. A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter St. (Rt.62), North Reading on Monday, December 21 at 10:30 AM, followed by interment at Forest Glade Cemetery in Wakefield. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in her memory to the Greater Boston Food Bank.  www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Stephen Q. O’Leary – 77, of North Andover, died unexpectedly at his home on Friday, December 4, 2020. He was the beloved husband of the late Barbara A. (Stinson) O’Leary.

Born in Melrose, MA on May 31, 1943, he was the son of the late Quinn and Elaine (Barnes) and brother of the late Daniel O’Leary. He was a graduate of Melrose High School, Class of 1961, a graduate of Burdette College and served in the National Guard.  Steve most recently resided in North Andover and formerly lived in Lynnfield, North Reading, Reading and Melrose.

Steve had a 52-year career at NITCO and rose the ranks from sales to ultimately became an owner and President.  Steve’s professional accomplishments were unparalleled not only as a leader within his company, but also informally mentoring other business acquaintances.  He had a gift for showing interest and friendliness to all whom he met.  He loved making meaningful connections with people. His sense of humor was ever-present, and he was quick to use his wit to make others smile.  He was known for his generosity, willingness to help others and having the most positive outlook on life.  He perceived nothing in life as being a problem.

Although he had a great professional career, his favorite title was husband, father, and grandfather along with a focus on his Catholic faith and friends.  He cherished time spent with family and creating memories with them.  Steve loved being in New Hampshire at Webster Lake, beach side in Maine and anywhere that his family was.  Steve always felt fortunate to have found Barbara who was his wife of 51 years.  People would say”Steve and Barbara”, as if they were one person. They were inseparable with a loving marriage built on mutual respect.  Steve very much missed Barbara after her passing in 2017 and we know they are happily reunited now. Steve’s legacy lives on with his three daughters and sons-in-law whom he loved as his own: Kim Steele (Chuck), Melanie MacLean (Kevin), Stephanie Meer (Bill), seven grandchildren, Katrina, Patrick, Molly, Victoria, Evan, Madeline, Kaitlyn and 2 great grandchildren.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Patrick Parish ,71 Central Street, Stoneham, MA on Wednesday, December 23 at 10:00 AM.  Family and friends are invited with social distancing. Burial will be private and there will be no calling hours.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions in his memory to St. Basil, Cursillio.  https://saintbasils.org/about/cursillio or to Catholic Charities https://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org Arrangements are by the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow street, North Reading. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

On Monday, November 30th, 2020, Philomena M. Casey, loving mother, wife, grandmother, and sister, passed away at the age of 69.

Born to John and Mary Hogan in Limerick, Ireland in 1951, she married Larry Casey in February of 1973 and they raised a daughter, Gillian, and two sons, Andrew and Alan, emigrating the family from the Ashbrook neighborhood of Limerick, Ireland to North Reading, MA in 1988.

Phil was a dedicated employee at Mass Eye and Ear for many years, an avid reader, music lover, and massive soccer fan. She took immense joy and pride watching her children and grandchildren play soccer around the fields of North Reading and from watching her beloved Everton.  Phil will be remembered most for her sense of humor, wit, and kindness.

Phil was preceded in death by her father, John Hogan, mother, Mary Hogan and sisters, Mary Heaslip and Majella Kelly. She is survived by her husband, Larry Casey of North Reading; sons, Andrew Casey of Newmarket, NH and Alan Casey of Berlin, MA; daughter, Gillian Casey, son-in-law, David Miller and grandsons, Nathan and Kieran Miller of North Reading; siblings, Jim Hogan, Ann Shortt and Terry Murphy of Limerick, Ireland and Fidelma Hogan of Alton, New Hampshire, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Funeral Mass will be held at St. Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter St., North Reading on Saturday, December 5 at 10:30AM. Visitation will be private.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in her memory to the Alzheimer’s Association. Arrangements are by Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Louise (Ryan) Hanson – 90, of North Reading and formerly of Yarmouthport, MA, died at Royal Meadow View Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in North Reading on Saturday, November 28, 2020.

Born in Wakefield, MA on May 31, 1930, she was the wife of the late Richard N. Hanson and  daughter of the late Everett R. and Alice (Rattray) Ryan.  She was the sister of Carolyn (Ryan) Fuller of Peabody and the late Doris (Ryan) Pedersen.

Louise attended Wakefield schools and graduated from Wakefield High School in 1948.

Known as the “Story Hour Lady” at Flint Memorial Library in North Reading for 35 years , she instilled a love of books and reading in hundreds of children over the years.

A grandmother of 8 and great-grandmother of 11 she made great fruit pancakes which they still remember fondly, taught them how to knit, braided their hair beautifully (so tight!) and loved to cook for them.   She loved family gatherings and cooking and baking.

She and her husband Dick loved to travel and especially enjoyed Bermuda and many sailing trips in the Caribbean.  They camped with their family for many years with a large group of North Reading people at Terrace Pines in New Hampshire.

After many years in North Reading, they retired to Yarmouthport, MA where they made many more wonderful friends.  Having been very  active in their church life at the Union Congregational Church here in North Reading, they joined the West Yarmouth Church where they happily immersed themselves in their new church life.

Over the years Louise was active in Girl Scouts and Eastern Star.

Her surviving family members include her daughter, Nancy (Hanson) Thorn and husband William of North Reading; her son Douglas Hanson and wife Lori of Sandown, New Hampshire.  Eight grandchildren, Karen (Thorn) Putvinski & husband Mathew of Holliston, MA; Alison (Thorn) Bogrett & husband Richard of Haverhill, MA; Amy Thorn of North Reading; Kristina (Hanson) Wagnitz & husband Tony of Atkinson, New Hampshire; Jaclyn (Hanson) Freeman & husband Dan of Plaistow, New Hampshire; Joshua (Hanson) Stone and husband Jonathan of Flagstaff, New Mexico; Mindy (Hanson) Moutoux and husband Nate of Pataskala, OH and Daniel Hanson of McLean, VA.

She had 11 great-grandchildren: Katelyn, Megan & Erin Putvinski; Abigail Thorn; Lexi & Libby Wagnitz; Ryan, Lily & Sam Freeman; Isaac & Madeleine Moutoux.

A memorial service will be held in the spring.  Interment will be at Puritan Lawn.

Memorial donations may be made to the West Yarmouth Church, 383 MA-28 West, Yarmouth, MA 02673; Union Congregational Church, 148 Haverhill Street, North Reading, MA 01864; or Flint Memorial Library, 147 Park Street, North Reading, MA  01864.  www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Donna M. (Keyser) McDonald – 71, of Andover and formerly of North Reading, passed away at her home on Friday, November 27, 2020.

Born in Melrose, MA on October 14, 1949, she was the daughter of the late James R. and Lorraine (Spadafora) Keyser. She was raised in and attended school in North Reading . She was a graduate of North Reading High School, Class of 1967 and a graduate of Northern Essex Community College.

Donna worked as a manager for New England Telephone, Nynex and Super Pages

She has been a resident of Andover for the past 50 years. Donna loved gardening, the Patriots, family, traveling and time at the Lake House.

Family members include her loving husband of 50 years, Daniel J. McDonald; her son, Daniel J. McDonald, II of Salem, NH, her daughter, Melissa Merritt and her husband Russell Merritt, III of Carver, MA and her sister, Pamela Elliott and her husband Winslow of Stratham, NH.

Visitation will be held at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading on Wednesday, December 2 from 1 to 3 PM. Memorial donations may be made in her memory to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Div. of Development & The Jimmy Fund, 10 Brookline Place West, Floor 6, Brookline, MA 02445-7226. www.croswellfuneralhome.com