All posts by Carol Croswell

Helen E. Parow

Helen E. (Costello) Parow – 102, of North Andover, formerly of North Reading and Medford, passed away on Monday, August 19, 2024. She was the loving wife of the late Walter J. Parow.

Born in Medford, MA on April 8, 1922, she was the daughter of the late John and Agnes (Kerrigan) Costello. Helen was predeceased by her 7 siblings and beloved son-in-law, John D. (Jack) McFarland.

Helen was raised in Medford and was a graduate of Medford High School, Class of 1940. She later graduated from Katherine Gibbs School of Business in Boston.

Helen moved to North Reading in 1953. She worked as an administrative assistant at the J. Turner Hood School in North Reading for 10 years and as the office manager for Dr. Frank Odlum, DDS for 15 years.

Helen was an active member and volunteer for St. Theresa’s Church in North Reading for many years; she was a member and Past President of the Ladies Sodality. She later became a member and volunteer of St. Michael’s Church in North Andover, where she was an organizer and leader for donations for the Accounting Group. She was also a member and volunteer for the North Andover Senior Center where she enjoyed playing bingo.

Helen was a loving mother, grandmother, and great- grandmother. Family members include her loving son, John E. Parow and his wife Patricia A. of Chelmsford; her daughters: Susan P. McFarland of Nantucket and significant other, Raymond D. Trudell of Arlington, Denise P. Roser and her husband, Robert F. of Williamsburg, VA; 3 grandchildren: Kelly M. Stratman and her husband, Stephen, Michael D. Parow, and William W. Parow; 3 great-grandchildren: Ella M. Stratman, Emery J. Stratman, and Kayla J. Parow.

Her Funeral Mass will be held at St. Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter Street, North Reading on Thursday, August 29 at 11:00 A.M.; the family will receive visitors prior to the Mass at 10:30 A.M. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Helen’s memory to: Compassus Hospice of North Andover, 790 Turnpike Street, Suite 202, North Andover, MA 01845. Arrangements by Croswell Funeral Home, North Reading.

 

www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Marsha F. Boulanger

Marsha F. (Smith) Boulanger- 76, loving  wife of  Charles Boulanger, passed away peacefully on August 11, 2024, in Danvers, MA. She was born on December 8, 1947, in Lynn, MA.

Marsha graduated from Lynn English High School and continued her education at the Chandler School for Women. She dedicated 25 years of service to the General Electric in Lynn, MA where she met the love of her life, Charlie. It was not until her retirement to Bartlett, NH that she found her true calling of caring for animals at the Conway Area Humane Society. One of her favorite hobbies was gardening, where she found peace and joy taking care of her plants and flowers. She also had a passion for shopping on QVC, always excited to discover the perfect pair of shoes or a beautiful new pocketbook to add to her ever-growing collection.

Marsha is also survived by daughters, Jessica Cote and her husband Dana of Kensington, NH, and Jennifer Guarino and her husband Richard II of Boxford, MA; sisters, Thalia Blowers of Lynn, MA, and Roberta Smith of Marblehead, MA; grandchildren, Victoria Guarino, Maxwell Cote, Richard Guarino III, and Leah Guarino; nieces, Leslie Blake and her husband Charles of NH, Lorraine Depietro and her husband Anthony of GA, and Kristin Melendez and her husband William of RI. Marsha was preceded in death by her brothers, Russell and Kenneth Smith.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date to honor Marsha’s memory. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Conway Area Humane Society.

Marsha’s legacy of kindness, generosity, and love for her family and community will be cherished and remembered by all who knew her.

Arrangements are by Croswell Funeral Home, North Reading. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Kenneth M. Smith

Kenneth M. Smith – 61, of North Reading and formerly of Andover, passed away on Friday, August 9, 2024 at the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers. He was the beloved husband of the late Patricia A. (Gaynor) Smith.

Born in Lawrence, MA on February 6, 1963, he was the son of the late John and Janet Louise (Pettingill) Smith Richardson. He was raised and attended school in North Reading and attended North Reading High School. Ken worked as a roof installer in the construction industry for many years. He has been a resident of North Reading for the past 10 Years.

Ken loved to be outdoors, he enjoyed gardening and was patient and compassionate. He loved dogs, he was quick, witty and very funny. He loved fishing, sports and enjoyed being with his friends.

Family members include his son, Christopher Smith; his daughter, Kristen Johnson; his brother, Leonard Smith; sisters, Audrey Anderson, Cheryl Varney, Virginia Richardson and Kim Nadeau; his stepfather, William Richardson and 2 grandchildren.

Visitation will be held on Monday, August 26, 2024 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. Interment will be in Williamstown, Vermont, at a later date. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in his memory to the MSPCA, 400 Broadway, Methuen, MA 01844.

www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Iris D. Gangi

Iris D. (Heid) Gangi – 88, of Somerville, MA, passed away on July 1, 2024. She was the loving wife of 61 years to the late Nicholas R. Gangi, who died in 2022.

Born in Roxbury, MA on September 24,1935. She was raised and attended school in Roxbury and Dorchester. She has been a resident of Somerville for many years.

Iris was always loving, kind, understanding and friendly to everyone. She was a big bright spot in her daughter’s life. She was a member of the Salvation Army Band, where she loved to play different types of horns. Iris also served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves.

Family members include her loving daughters, Brenda Weaver and her husband Kerry, Valery Allen and April Gangi; six grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

Her funeral will be held at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading on Friday, August 23 at 1:00 PM. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 11:00 AM to 12:45 PM. Interment will follow in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in her memory to the charity of one’s choice.

www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Dorothy Standley

 

Dorothy E. (Walkup) Standley – 88, of North Reading, passed away at her home on Thursday, July 25, 2024, with her family by her side. She was the  beloved wife of the late Robert D. Standley.

Born in West Springfield, MA on August 6, 1935. She was the daughter of the late Paul E. and Helen (Ray) Walkup. She was raised in North Reading and was a graduate of Reading Memorial High School, Class of 1954.

Dorothy worked as a waitress for Sailor Tom’s Restaurant in Reading and for the family owned Candlewood Lanes in North Reading. She was also a homemaker and a loving mother of five children.

Dorothy  was known for her faith and strong love for God. She enjoyed traveling, including several trips to Israel, Alaska, Jordan and Egypt. She enjoyed ceramics, sewing, nature and she especially loved her pets. She was a pro bowler on Eastern MA Women’s Pro League and she also loved to Waterski.

Dorothy was a lifetime  and active member of the Trinity Evangelical Church in North Reading, where she served on many committees. She was also very compassionate and cared for many family members and others. She has been a resident of North Reading for the past 80 years.

Family members include her loving sons, William Standley and the late Robert K. Standley; daughters, Cheryl Douty and her husband William “Bill” Douty, III, Brenda Standley and Diane Trombly and her husband James Trombly; late brothers, Edwin and Paul  Walkup; her sister, Helen Sweet of Virginia and her niece, Susan Vail; two grandchildren, William Douty IV and his wife Jennifer and Heather (Douty) Normandie and her husband John; three great grandchildren, Leo Normandie, Skye and Cassidy Douty.

Her funeral will be held on Wednesday, July 31 at 10:00 AM at the Trinity Evangelical Church, 105 Haverhill Street, North Reading. Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, July 30 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. Memorial donations may be made in her memory to the Trinity Evangelical Church, 105 Haverhill Street, North Reading.

Croswellfuneralhome.com