Eleanor T. (Pizzolante) Jean – 90, of Reading and formerly of North Reading, died Thursday, October 6, 2022 at the Sawtelle Family Hospice House in Reading. She was the beloved wife of the late Neal “Onel” E. Jean.

Born in Boston, MA on October 8, 1931. She was the daughter of the late Vincent “Jimmy” and Maria “Mary” (Rizzo) Pizzolante. She was a graduate of Girls High School in Boston.

Eleanor was a retired Assistant Town Clerk for the Town of North Reading. She was a Registrar and a poll worker for many years. Eleanor also worked for her husband in his tax prep business.

She enjoyed cooking and baking, reading, traveling, casinos (slot machines), live theater and concerts. She especially enjoyed winters in Lake Suzy, Florida. Eleanor was a member of the Red Hats (Scarlet Glories) and was a Brownie Leader. She was a resident of North Reading from 1962 to 2007 and a resident of Reading since 2007.

Family members include her loving daughter Joanne Senders and her husband Kevin of Reading and her son Paul N. Jean and his wife Elaine of Potomac Falls, VA; she was the grandmother of 4, Nikki Jean Weller and her husband Matt of Sterling, VA, Tessa Senders of New York City and Brett Senders of Reading; she was the sister of the late John Pizzolante and his late wife Pearl.

Her visitation will be held on Saturday, October 15 from 9:00 AM to 10:45 AM at 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. 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

Karen A. Roberts – 65, of Wilmington, formerly of North Andover and North Reading, died on Friday, September 23, 2022 at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.

Born in Melrose, MA on October 28, 1956, she was the daughter of the late Walter and Janet L. (Jones) Roberts. She was raised in North Reading and was a graduate of North Reading High School, Class of 1975.

She worked at Marshalls for many years until her retirement.

Karen had a great memory for birthdays and would let you know if it was someone’s birthday. She enjoyed spending time with family, holidays, reading, playing games and traveling. She especially loved the Boston Bruins and followed them for years. She hardly ever missed watching a game.

Family members include her loving brother, Walter Roberts of Wakefield and her sisters, Kathy Lynch and her husband Leo of North Andover, Kristine Hoarty and her husband Thomas of Burlington and Janet Florez and her husband Javier of North Reading; nieces and nephews, Ellen, Keri, Daniel, Kelly, Bridget, Patrick, Mateo and Chloe.

Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, September 27 from 5 to 7 PM at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. Interment will be private. Memorial donations may be made in her memory to the charity of your choice.  www.croswellfuneralhome.com

William F. Colbert- Age 90, William “Bill” Colbert died Thursday, September 8, 2022 at the Lahey Hospital and Medical Center in Burlington. He was the beloved husband of Patricia Colbert, with whom he resided in North Reading for most of their 67-year marriage.

Born in Illinois, Bill was the son of the late Harley and Edna Colbert. After graduation, he enlisted in the Marine Corps and proudly served in the Korean War, receiving many commendations, including the Bronze Star with ”V”. Bill later earned his college degree and received drafting education while working evenings at the Cities Service station in Boston, whose location is now marked by the historic Citgo sign. He went on to work for MIT Lincoln Laboratories for 37 years.

Bill was an avid sports fan and never missed a chance to espouse the trials and tribulations of his beloved New York Football Giants. He coached Little League and helped run the recreational basketball league in North Reading where he rarely missed the weekly evening pickup games.  Bill was also a talented woodworker, constructing cabinets and furniture for family. He was happiest spending relaxing time with his family and friends.

Bill is survived by his wife, Patricia, and his two daughters, Leslie Audet and her husband Andrew and Laurie Colbert and her partner Scott Daly. His grandchildren, Zachary Audet and Gabrielle Audet, will miss his sage advice and teasing sense of humor. Bill is also survived by his sister, Norma Mahaney, as well as many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his siblings, Wilma Williams, Etta Brown, Velma Colbert, John Colbert, and Robert Colbert.

Visitation will be held on Friday, September 23 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Bill’s memory to Parks and Recreation Dept., 235 North Street (Town Hall), North Reading, MA 01864.

www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Lawrence Joseph O’Keefe, Jr. – 79, of North Reading and formerly of Reading, died on Saturday, September 3, 2022 at the Lahey Hospital and Medical Center in Burlington.

Born in Boston, MA, on July 14,1943. He was the son of the late Lawrence J., Sr. and Mary (Hall) O’Keefe. Lawrence was a graduate of Reading Memorial High School, Class of 1961. He later completed a Constructional Engineering course in 1963 from Texas A. & M.

Lawrence worked as a Crane Operator for many years for the Baldwin Steel Company, he started in 1964 and retired in 2005. He has been a resident of North Reading for over 20 years.

He was loving, loyal and supportive to all his friends and family. He cherished time with them. He checked on the ones he loved and was there for them in good times and bad. Lawrence was a loving Dad, Pa, partner, sibling and son. He loved and cared about his partner Pam’s family, and enjoyed times spent with them. He was a hard worker and took pride in being one of the best crane operators in Boston for years.

Riding his motorcycle was definitely something he loved to do, some of his favorite rides were through the Kancamagus Highway in New Hampshire and rides through Vermont. He and his partner Pam were members and made many friends whom they considered family at the North Reading Moose, No.1511. There were lots of family events held there and great memories were made.

Family members include his loving son Lawrence George O’Keefe; daughter Tracey O’Keefe Dagesse; brother John O’Keefe; sister Cathy O’Keefe Gromyko; 3 grandchildren, Dakota, Savannah and Shiane; and his loving partner Pam Winkler.

Visitation will be held on Monday, September 12 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in his memory to the American Lung Association, www.lung.org

www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Charles Lowell Spicer, 84, died on Sunday, August 28, 2022.

Born in Wakefield on July 28, 1938, Lowell was the son of Ralph K. and Dorothy T. (Patterson) Spicer.  He was raised in North Reading on the family farm, Meadowview Dairy on Park St. He was graduate of the L. D. Batchelder School, Reading High School, and Wentworth Institute with a degree in industrial Electronics.

Lowell, affectionately known as Brother by his family and friends, was a family man, hardworking and loving, always ready to share an encouraging word and sound advice.  He was a longtime member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church of North Reading and Christ Church United UCC in Lowell.

Lowell loved sports.  He was an avid fan of New England teams and was a league bowler and softball player.  Lowell was a little league coach. He especially loved cheering on his children and grandchildren at their events.

Lowell and his wife Jane were enthusiastic campers and travelers.  Some of their favorite trips were to Ireland, China, and British Columbia. Everything they did, they did with joy and enthusiasm for life and its many experiences.

Lowell is survived by his wife of 62 years Jane E. (Manion); Children Karen (Richard Mayo), Kevin (Bonnie) of North Reading, Michael (Kim) of Danvers, and Mark (Heather) of Tewksbury, his grandchildren Michael Mayo, Eli and Noah Spicer, Heather and Hanna Morrissette, Vicki, Cristina and Josh Spicer, and Kaitlin, Jackson, and Will Spicer, Great grandchildren Charlie, Russell and Hannah Mayo; brothers R. Kenneth (Marion), Arnold (Mary), and sister Maryanne.  He was predeceased by brother Dean and sister Nancy.

His funeral will be held at the Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 235 Park Street, North Reading on Saturday, September 17 at 10:00 AM. Calling hours will be held on Friday, September 16 from 4:00 to 7 :00 PM at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading.

The family would like to thank the staff of the Penacook Nursing home and All Care Hospice for their compassionate care, comfort, and support to Lowell and his family during the hardest months of his prolonged illness.  For this the family asks in lieu of flowers that you would consider donating to Dementia Society of America www.dementiasociety.org.  or All Care Hospice www.allcare.org.

www.croswellfuneralhome.com