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Joyce (Greene) Sewall of Sarasota, FL, formerly of North Reading, MA and Edgecomb, ME, passed away May 23, 2021 after a long illness. Joyce was born on July 30, 1948 in Framingham, MA. She was the daughter of the late John and Helen Greene. She grew up in North Reading and was a graduate of North Reading High School class of 1966. She lived in Maine for many years before settling in Sarasota, Florida. Joyce loved her work in the medical field including dentistry, ophthalmology, orthopedics and finally cardiology. In her years living up North she enjoyed singing in the church choir. In Florida, she became actively involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters. She was an avid reader, enjoyed attending local theatre and traveling with her sister, Julie. She often traveled to Tennessee to spend time with her daughter Shandra Whitaker and her grandchildren Hailey, Kayla and Dylan to whom she was known as Mammy. She is survived by her daughter Shandra and her grandchildren Hailey, Kayla and Dylan of Dandridge. TN, her brothers Paul (and Denis) Webster Greene of Methuen, MA, John (and Diane) Greene of North Reading, MA, Russell Greene of Arlington, MA; Sisters Julie Wood (and Robert Stanton) of Methuen, MA and Deirdre (and John) Davenport of Chester, NH as well as many nieces and nephews, and grand-nieces and grand-nephews. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Services will be private. In honor of her memory and in lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Big Brothers Big Sisters or to the charity of one’s choice. Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow St., North Reading is in charge of arrangements.  www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Kathleen  J. (Parsons) Twiggs  – 71, of Vero Beach, Florida and Brownfield, Maine, formerly of North Reading and Winthrop, died Monday, May 17, 2021 at the Cleveland Clinic, Indian River Hospital in Vero Beach, Florida.

Born in Winthrop, MA on April 4, 1950, she was the daughter of the late George E. and Marie A. (Donovan) Parsons. Kathy was raised in Winthrop and was a graduate of Winthrop High School.

She was a former resident of North Reading for 42 years. Kathy was a retired receptionist for Dental Health Concepts and St. Theresa’s Church, both in North Reading.

Kathy was a loving Nana to her 8 grandkids and had a close bond with each of them. Her strong will and dedication to her family was unmatched. She could light up a room and always cheer you up, no matter the circumstances. She loved to travel and was an avid fan of New England sports, especially the Red Sox. She enjoyed spending time at her beach in Maine as well as the ocean at Vero Beach; but nothing more than being in the company of her loved ones.

Family members include her loving husband of 50 years, Thomas J. Twiggs; her son Thomas J. Twiggs, II and wife Angela of Scituate, RI; daughters, Kerry E. Lee and husband Mark of Methuen and Kristen M. McLaughlin and husband Michael of Amesbury; her sister Sheila Berry and husband Bill of North Reading; 8 grandchildren, Connor and Erin Lee of Methuen, Caroline, Emma and Meghan McLaughlin of Amesbury, John Thomas, Madelaine and Maeve Twiggs of Scituate, RI; two nieces, Suzanne Arcari and Jessica Durham-Twiggs; nephew David Berry; brother-in-law Fran Twiggs and his wife Joelle and sister-in-law Margaret Twiggs and her wife Denise.

Her Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, June 2 at 10:30 AM at St. Theresa’s                  Church, 63 Winter Street (Rt. 62), North Reading. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 1 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. Memorial donations may be made in her memory to Boston Children’s Hospital or to Mass General Hospital for Children. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Rita L. LaVallee – 45, of Keene, NH and formerly of Wakefield, MA, died unexpectedly at her home on May 16, 2021.

Born in Medford, MA on September 8, 1975. She was the daughter of Paul S. LaVallee of North Reading and the late Carrie Lee (Pierce) LaVallee.

Rita loved her family and loved laughter, she had a special way of lifting people up. She loved her kitty Mello, she enjoyed crafts, humor and especially cooking on  holidays.

Besides her father, she is survived by her loving sons, Michael and Christopher LaVallee and her daughter, Carrie LaVallee; brothers, Daniel, Eric and Greg LaVallee; sisters, Becky LaVallee and Ruth Gianatasio.

Calling hours will be held at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading on Thursday, May 20 from 4 to 6 PM. donations may be made in her memory to the charity of one’s choice. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Gary  C.  Button, a contractor and resident of North Reading, died unexpectedly in his home on Wednesday, May 5, 2021 at the age of 58.

Gary was a devoted father to his three children, and a proud Pappy to his three grandsons.  He was a skilled carpenter who took pride in lending his skills to his family and friends; often showing his love through the beautiful things he created.  If you ever needed him, you knew you could find him at Kitty’s with a drink in his hand, and an ear to listen (all while having one eye on the football or keno game).  He may have been a self proclaimed “dictionary of useless knowledge,” but to those who knew him, that was just Gary.  He will be deeply missed by his family, friends and those who knew him.

Gary grew up in Reading and was a graduate of Reading Memorial High School; where he was an active member of the athletic community.  After high school he enlisted in the Seabees (United States Construction Battalion), and after his enlistment went into the reserves.  When he became a father for the first time he proudly retired from his military career and began fulltime in the family business of carpentry.  He was a proud contractor, actively working up until his untimely passing.

Gary is survived by his three children; his daughter Brittany B. Sawicki and husband Jeremy Sawicki, his son Dustin M. Button and his daughter Corinne E. Button; his grandsons, Weston, Grayson and Brenton Sawicki; and brother, David H. Button and wife Wendy Button.  He is predeceased by his parents, Weston and Jacqueline (Sverker) Button and older brother Wayne Button.

Calling hours will be held on Thursday, May 13 from 4:00 – 6:30 PM at Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading.  Flowers, donations and condolences can be sent to the funeral home. Due to COVID-19 rules, no more than 50 people are allowed at one time in the funeral home. www.croswellfuneralhome.com