In Loving Memory of Helen (Mentus) Bigham, November 1, 1929 – September 21, 2023

Helen was born in Peabody, MA on November 1, 1929 and went home to be with Jesus surrounded by her loving family on September 21, 2023. Helen’s unconditional love and spirit of faith, hope, and love, and the greatest of these is love, will be in our hearts always.

Helen grew up in North Reading on the Mentus Farm which was owned and operated by her late parents, William and Pazia (Zawinska) Mentus. Helen loved the farm and as a child would push her favorite goat around in a baby carriage.

Helen graduated from Reading High in 1947 and shortly after, met Carl A. Bigham Jr. at the Union Congregational Church in North Reading where they both sang in the choir. Helen and Carl were married in 1949 and in 1950 moved into their custom-built home at 181 Elm Street, built by Carl Sr., where Helen lived for 73 years.

During 1949-1960’s, family and friends were active in “The Jubilaires”, sharing their singing and acting talents in minstrel shows in town. After Carl passed away in 1987, Helen “Nana” devoted her love and time to her family, church and community. Being a wonderful cook and baker she always had something to offer when family and friends dropped in for a visit. She cherished her grandchildren and would make their favorite foods, they’d watch as many movies and video games as they could to fit into their visit. Helen shared her faith and continued her love of singing as a soprano soloist in the Union Congregational choir, where she was a member for over 70 years and attended for over 80 years. She was also a member of Faith Circle at the church, Friendship Group, O.E.S., and sang and performed with the North Reading Community Choral and The Senior Echoes.

Helen had a talent to take a bunch of yarn, fabric or twigs and pinecones and make them into something beautiful. She sewed and knitted doll clothes and crocheted Afghans for her family and her church fair. Helen learned to create stained-glass ornaments with her sister and nieces. She later volunteered and taught a stained-glass class at her church with many participants. Helen’s created crafts were among many sold every year at “Frosty’s Fair” at the Union Congregational Church in North Reading.

Helen spent every Spring and Fall at her church Rummage Sale where she had the patience of an angel and spent time mending items and repairing toys that would otherwise be thrown away. Many a child went home happy with a working toy.

Helen was the beloved wife of the late Carl A. Bigham, Jr., beloved mother of her late son Wayne C. Bigham and late granddaughter, Wayne’s daughter, Sara Phyllides. Preceded by death were Helen’s siblings, Michael Mentus, John Mentus and Anne Garland and her childhood friend Gertie. She is survived by her children Ronald of Merrimac, Craig of Methuen, Carl of Haverhill and Cheryl (Bigham) Rocca of Andover, 12 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren along with many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 am on October 7, 2023 at the Union Congregational Church, 148 Haverhill Street, North Reading, MA 01864. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Faith Circle, c/o Union Congregational Church, 148 Haverhill Street, North Reading, MA 01864 or to the North Reading Food Pantry Donate (nrfoodpantry.org), Ways to Help (nrfoodpantry.org)

Arrangements are under the direction of Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow St., North Reading. www.Croswellfuneralhome.com

William B. Birkmaier, Jr. – 79, of Wayland and formerly of Lebanon, NH and North Reading, passed away at his home on Saturday, September 16, 2023.

Bill was born on April 13, 1944. He was the son of the late William B. and Catherine (Witham) Birkmaier. He was raised in North Reading and was a graduate of North Reading High School and the U.S. Naval Academy.  He received his master’s degree in Computer Systems Management from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School. Bill retired as a U.S. Navy Captain, while in the role of Chief of the NATO Headquarters Situation Center in Brussels, Belgium.  He served his country for 30 years, and was a Vietnam Veteran.

Bill enjoyed life to the fullest.  Throughout his life, he sought out new experiences and adventures, whether through travel, restaurants, music or art. He instilled in his children an appreciation for other cultures and encouraged them to try new foods, listen to new music and learn new languages.  His navy career allowed Bill, his wife and his children to travel all over the world, and to experience life in places such as Hawaii, Washington State, Germany and Belgium. He valued education and insisted his children learn as much as possible, experience many things, and find joy everywhere. He was well known for his sense of humor.  He especially loved a good “dad joke”.

He had a unique ability to care deeply about others.  He was a proxy dad to many others, and could always be relied upon to provide thoughtful and wise advice.  He had a tremendous capacity for remembering facts. Before the internet existed, one could ask him any question about science, politics or history, and he would know the answer.  He was the best and most loving father, husband and grandfather to his wife, his three children, and his 5 grandchildren.

Bill is survived by his beloved and beautiful wife of 53 years, Laura (Lebron-Lopez) Birkmaier; his son, William Birkmaier; daughters, Sherry Calderon and Cristina Birkmaier; sisters, Lori O’Rourke and Lynne Heywood; grandchildren, Skyler, Liam, Oliver, Nicolas, and Luca; daughter and son-in-law, Christelle Birkmaier and Harold Calderon; many nieces and nephews. Loving brother to Karl and Mark Birkmaier.

A public graveside service is being held at the veteran’s section of Riverside Cemetery, 171 Elm Street in North Reading, at 11:00 am on Saturday, September 30^th.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest in WA.  Link: plantatree.fs.usda.gov/tree-donation www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Robert (Bob) W. McGrath –  age 72, of North Reading passed away on September 12, 2023. Bob was raised in North Cambridge by his parents William and Ethel McGrath (Henderson), both lifelong residents of North Cambridge. Bob married Lorraine McGrath (Bizelia) of North Reading, formerly Cambridge, and celebrated 38 years of marriage this year. Bob was lovingly proud of their son Rory D. McGrath, who grew up in North Reading, graduated from UMass Amherst, earned his MBA from Northeastern University, and is employed by Nike. Many of Bob’s favorite memories were of family vacations with his wife and son to the coast of Maine. Rory lives in Portland, Oregon with his fianceé, Erin Milligan, who was raised in Rumford, Maine. Their wedding is planned for September 2024 in Maine.

Bob was a classic car enthusiast and he would have kept every car he owned if possible. For those he couldn’t keep, he enjoyed creating model versions to put on his shelves. He drove a variety of cars throughout the years including a VW Beetle, 1955 Corvette, and 1972Dodge Charger; most recently he enjoyed his 2008 Cadillac, 1975 Corvette, and 1956 Harley Davidson.

Bob is predeceased by his parents William and Ethel, and his (man’s) best friend, Doggie. He is survived by his wife Lorraine, son Rory and fianceé Erin, sisters Elizabeth (Betty) Hayes of Naples, Florida and Dorothy (Dottie) Hosterman of Orange City, Florida.

Arrangements are by the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading.

In Loving Memory of Barbara Johnson Hilton Fohlin

Barbara Johnson Hilton Fohlin, a remarkable woman of compassion, strength, and boundless love, passed away on September 16, 2023. Born on December 28, 1928, in Andover, MA, Barbara’s journey through life was one of unwavering dedication to her loved ones and a deep passion for caring for others.

She graduated from Punchard High School (1946) and the Nursing School of Lawrence General Hospital (1949). Later that same year, she proudly became a Registered Nurse, a profession she would grace with her compassion for many years.

In 1952, Barbara married Don Hilton, embarking on a journey of love and partnership that would last for nearly two decades. Their early years together saw them residing briefly in Lawrence, MA, before settling in North Reading in 1957. The couple became proud parents to three children and lovingly opened their home to her mother, Mabel (“Mimi”), and mother-in-law, Eliza (“Nana”), exemplifying her selflessness and devotion to family.
In 1971, Barbara’s husband, Don, passed away suddenly, leaving her to raise their three children: Sue, Jim, and Beverly. Barbara’s unwavering love and resilience guided her through these challenging times. For the following ten years, Barbara’s focus was on her children. She was an active parent, engaged in supporting many of her children’s interests and activities. Her love, guidance, and nurturing spirit laid the foundation for her children’s success and the legacy she leaves behind.

In 1981, Barbara married Hal Fohlin. Barbara and Hal shared a love for adventure, traveling all over the world. It was Barbara’s love for family that inspired them to drive across the country on multiple occasions to visit their children and grandchildren, often making the long drives while knitting and listening to a good book.

The couple retired to a renovated 1840s farmhouse in Marlow, NH, and later to a condo in Keene, NH, where they resided until 2006 when they moved to Brooksby Village in Peabody, MA. All along the way, she forged friendships, touching the lives of many. They shared 39 wonderful years together until Hal’s passing in December 2020.
While she moved several times in her life, church was a constant in her life. Here she found community and many opportunities to share her love. Her faith played a significant role in her life and inspired her to spread kindness and love wherever she went. Her focus always remained on serving others, finding countless opportunities to volunteer.

Barbara’s creative spirit found expression through knitting and quilting, with her handmade quilts adorning the homes of friends and loved ones. She found solace and joy in gardening, nurturing beautiful blooms, and baking delicious treats. Many an overnight guest awoke to the smell of freshly baked blueberry muffins. She never tired of a good game of Yahtzee or completing a jigsaw puzzle with her many grandkids.

Barbara is preceded in death by her parents, Mabel and Ernest Johnson, her brother, George Johnson, and her husbands, Don Hilton and Hal Fohlin. She is survived by her three children, Sue (Mark), Jim (Michelle), and Beverly (Jeff), and her stepchildren, Jim, Sylvia (Rob), Marybeth (Mark), Caroline (John), and Howard. Her legacy lives on through her 18 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. Barbara Johnson Hilton Fohlin’s life was a beautiful tapestry of love and care. She leaves behind a legacy of inner strength and a deep appreciation for the simple pleasures in life. Barbara’s passing leaves a void in our lives, but her spirit of love, compassion, and devotion will continue to guide us all. Her memory will be one of love and kindness.

A celebration of Barbara’s life will be held at 11:00am on November 14, 2023 at Union Congregational Church, North Reading, MA. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to Brooksby Village Student Scholarship Fund, Philanthropy Office, 300 Brooksby Village Drive, Peabody, MA 01960 (elm.convio.net/BrooksbySCH) or in the spirit of caring for others a donation to the donors local food shelf.

Patricia E. (Spinelli) Romeo – 87, of North Reading and formerly of Revere, passed away on Sunday, September 17, 2023, at Ashland Farms in North Andover. She was the beloved wife of the late Frank J. Romeo.

Born in Everett, MA on September 2, 1936. She was the daughter of the late Remo and Edith (MacLeod) Spinelli. Pat was a graduate of Revere High School, Class of 1954 and later attended Boston University from 1955 to 1957.

She has been a resident of North Reading for the past 62 years. In her early years Pat worked for the Revere Public Library and Filene’s Basement in Sales. She was an organist, soloist and Music Director for many local area churches for over 45 years, including St. Agnes Church in Middleton, St. Thomas Church in Wilmington, St. Patrick’s Church in Lawrence and St. Theresa’s Church in North Reading. She served for the Archdiocese in Boston. Her years of being a musician and soloist for the Archdiocese lead her to a career highlight of traveling to Italy with a chorus and singing for the Pope.

Pat was a Special Police Officer and Auxiliary Policewoman for the Town of North Reading for 25 years and was the crossing guard at the Hood School for many years.

Pat was very involved in North Reading for many years, she was a member of the North Reading Planning Commission, the North Reading Historical Society for 52 years, where she served as President for two years and the North Reading Historical District Commission. She dedicated her life to the restoration and preservation of the Rev. Daniel Putnam House. Pat was House Director and Board Member. She later spent many years giving tours of the Putnam House to local school children and sharing about the history of this community. She helped organize the town celebration of the Bicentennial in 1976 and was instrumental in the installation of the band stand on the town common. Pat was a member of St. Theresa’s Church, a Girl Scout Leader, member of the Colonial Chorus, she was a Merrimack Valley Guild Organist, Director of Music for Boston Catholic Television and was in the special Cardinals Choir at Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston.

She was the loving mother of Lisa Romeo DiSanto and her husband Lewis, David Romeo and his wife Kelly, Christine Romeo, Daniel Romeo and Thomas Romeo and his wife Anastasia; her sister, Norma Vito; 11 grandchildren, Frankie, Johnny, Ariana, James, Elizabeth, Benjamin, Abbey, Nicholas, Shelby, Brittany and Danielle, and one great grandchild, Orion Duffy .

Her funeral will be held on Saturday, September 23 at 10:15 AM, from the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading, followed by a 11:30 AM Funeral Mass at St. Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter Street, North Reading. Calling hours will be held on Friday, September 22 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 North Reading Historical & Antiquarian Society, PO Box 354, North Reading, MA 01864

www.croswellfuneralhome.com