All posts by Carol Croswell

Carol A. Prevost

Carol A. (Stevens) Prevost, 82, the daughter of the late Arthur and Margaret Stevens, passed away on June 29, 2021.  Carol spent the last days of her life surrounded by her family who were the pride and joy of her life.

Born in Everett, MA on August 23, 1938, Carol grew up and attended school in Melrose, MA.  With her marriage to Richard Prevost in 1961, she moved to North Reading, MA where they lived for over 45 years raising their three children.  Carol and Richard built a life in North Reading that was filled with close friends and neighbors on Charles Street.  Carol was active in St. Theresa’s Catholic Church and taught CCD. She worked for a number of years in the North Reading School system as a speech teacher and enjoyed working in her garden, watching her children play sports, reading, and taking care of her home. Every year on Christmas day, Carol treated her family and neighbors to her house where she served everyone’s favorite dish.

She is preceded in death by her loving husband, Richard L. Prevost, who died in 2017. There was not a day that passed that Carol did not mention the loss of her beloved partner of 56 years. She is also preceded in death by her sister, Jean Kripp and brother, Arthur Stevens.

Carol is survived by her son Steven and his wife Stella of Earlysville, Virginia; son Joseph and his wife Nancy of Pepperell; and daughter Colette Murrin and her husband Shawn of Pepperell.  Carol loved her seven grandchildren Alex, Adam, Julia, Madeleine, Meghan, Brenna, and Jack. Carol is also survived by her sister, Margaret Gaynor of Tewksbury, Massachusetts.

The family would like to thank the staff of Nashua Crossings for welcoming Carol into their community and providing her with compassionate care. In lieu of flowers the family requests that an online donation be made to the Community Hospices of America Foundation (www.chafoundation.net/contribute-online) noting Brookhaven Hospice as the beneficiary.

Calling hours will be held on Friday, July 23 from 9:30 – 10:45 AM at Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading, MA, followed by an 11:00 AM Graveside Service at Riverside Cemetery, 171 Elm Street, North Reading, MA. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Karen M. Mutch

Karen M. (Riley) Mutch – 78, of North Andover, died Monday, June 28, 2021 at the Lawrence General Hospital with her loving son by her side.

Born in Malden, MA on October 10, 1942. She was the daughter of the late William J. and Doris M. (Hurley) Riley. Karen was a graduate of St. Mary’s Academy in Melrose, MA.

Karen was a retired Office Manager for L. J. Gonzer Associates and Private Fleet Coordinator for the Gillette Company in Andover. She was also the former owner of the Olde Willow Restaurant and Motel in Charlemont, MA.

She was a loving and devoted mother and grandmother. Karen loved to cook and garden. She was an animal lover, especially horses having owned several in the past. Karen enjoyed her nightly facetiming with her grandchildren Gavin and Emma, who were her world. She enjoyed watching football and NASCAR. She especially enjoyed watching horse racing as well as going on whale watches and spending time in Rockport.

Family members include her son Jack Mutch and his wife Jennifer of Plaistow, NH and Gerry Mahoney and his wife Selena of Yorba Linda, CA; her bother the late William J. Riley, Jr.; 4 grandchildren, Gavin and Emma Mutch and Amber and Amanda Mahoney. Also survived by several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 8th from 5 to 8 PM at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading.

Memorial donations may be made in her memory to MSPCA at Nevins Farm, 400 Broadway, Methuen, MA 01844.  www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Dorothy H. Gillis obituary and Services

Dorothy H Gillis “Dottie” – 84, of North Reading, died March 25, 2020 at Melrose Hospital.

Born in North Reading on May 21, 1935, she was the daughter of the late Vincent and Helen (Lyons) Sarcone.

Dottie was married to the late George F. Gillis for 56 years. Raised 4 children, Daughters, Debra McCabe, and her husband Carl, Kathleen Anderson, and her husband Peter both of North Reading, Dorothy Welch of Aurora, CO., and her son George Gillis, Jr., and his wife Wendy of Tewksbury.

Dottie is survived by her sisters, Rose Lussier of Sanford, N.C., and MaryAnn Shaw of Atkinson, N.H. and she was predeceased by her sister Catherine Marfleet, and her late brothers Paul & Leon Turcotte, Anthony, Richard & Joseph Sarcone.

She was a loving Nana to 9 Grandchildren and the late Scott A. Welch. She was also Nana to 9 Great Grandchildren along with many wonderful Nieces and Nephews.

Dottie graduated from Reading High School. In her early years Dottie worked for Transitron Electronic Corporation in Wakefield MA. Dottie was well known in town as the bus driver of students to North Reading public schools. Dottie retired from North Suburban Bus Company after more than 30 years of service. Dottie also worked briefly as a Crossing Guard in North Reading after retiring.

Dottie was very outgoing and not afraid to try something new, and she was known for her laugher. She always told you “like it is”. Dottie loved to teach her Grandchildren and many other children that called her Nana to fish and swim.  Dottie especially enjoyed camping at her favorite place, Sebago Lake State Park in Maine and made many trips to York Beach, where she always made sure to find a good Lobster Roll.

Dottie was known for welcoming everyone and anyone over to her home. The door was always open. She was also known for ringing your doorbell multiple times when she came to visit your home. She loved family gatherings and cookouts and always brought her famous Potato Salad to every event. Dottie loved her family and friends and would do anything for anyone!  She enjoyed all her dogs throughout the years, including Lilly, Jake & Rambo just to name a few. Dottie will be greatly missed by all who knew her and loved her.

Visitation will be held on Friday June 11th from 4-7 pm at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading (www.croswellfuneralhome.com). Her funeral Mass with be Saturday June 12th at 10:30 am at Saint Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter Street (Route 62), North Reading. Interment will be at Riverside Cemetery.

Memorial donations in lieu of flowers can be made in Dottie’s name to North Reading Parks and Recreation, 235 North Street, North Reading, Ma. 01864. The funds will be used to dedicate a tree near her favorite fishing hole. The tree is also near the area of Ipswich River Park where town barbeques are held, which she loved attending.