Stephen Q. O’Leary – 77, of North Andover, died unexpectedly at his home on Friday, December 4, 2020. He was the beloved husband of the late Barbara A. (Stinson) O’Leary.

Born in Melrose, MA on May 31, 1943, he was the son of the late Quinn and Elaine (Barnes) and brother of the late Daniel O’Leary. He was a graduate of Melrose High School, Class of 1961, a graduate of Burdette College and served in the National Guard.  Steve most recently resided in North Andover and formerly lived in Lynnfield, North Reading, Reading and Melrose.

Steve had a 52-year career at NITCO and rose the ranks from sales to ultimately became an owner and President.  Steve’s professional accomplishments were unparalleled not only as a leader within his company, but also informally mentoring other business acquaintances.  He had a gift for showing interest and friendliness to all whom he met.  He loved making meaningful connections with people. His sense of humor was ever-present, and he was quick to use his wit to make others smile.  He was known for his generosity, willingness to help others and having the most positive outlook on life.  He perceived nothing in life as being a problem.

Although he had a great professional career, his favorite title was husband, father, and grandfather along with a focus on his Catholic faith and friends.  He cherished time spent with family and creating memories with them.  Steve loved being in New Hampshire at Webster Lake, beach side in Maine and anywhere that his family was.  Steve always felt fortunate to have found Barbara who was his wife of 51 years.  People would say”Steve and Barbara”, as if they were one person. They were inseparable with a loving marriage built on mutual respect.  Steve very much missed Barbara after her passing in 2017 and we know they are happily reunited now. Steve’s legacy lives on with his three daughters and sons-in-law whom he loved as his own: Kim Steele (Chuck), Melanie MacLean (Kevin), Stephanie Meer (Bill), seven grandchildren, Katrina, Patrick, Molly, Victoria, Evan, Madeline, Kaitlyn and 2 great grandchildren.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Patrick Parish ,71 Central Street, Stoneham, MA on Wednesday, December 23 at 10:00 AM.  Family and friends are invited with social distancing. Burial will be private and there will be no calling hours.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions in his memory to St. Basil, Cursillio.  https://saintbasils.org/about/cursillio or to Catholic Charities https://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org Arrangements are by the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow street, North Reading. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

On Monday, November 30th, 2020, Philomena M. Casey, loving mother, wife, grandmother, and sister, passed away at the age of 69.

Born to John and Mary Hogan in Limerick, Ireland in 1951, she married Larry Casey in February of 1973 and they raised a daughter, Gillian, and two sons, Andrew and Alan, emigrating the family from the Ashbrook neighborhood of Limerick, Ireland to North Reading, MA in 1988.

Phil was a dedicated employee at Mass Eye and Ear for many years, an avid reader, music lover, and massive soccer fan. She took immense joy and pride watching her children and grandchildren play soccer around the fields of North Reading and from watching her beloved Everton.  Phil will be remembered most for her sense of humor, wit, and kindness.

Phil was preceded in death by her father, John Hogan, mother, Mary Hogan and sisters, Mary Heaslip and Majella Kelly. She is survived by her husband, Larry Casey of North Reading; sons, Andrew Casey of Newmarket, NH and Alan Casey of Berlin, MA; daughter, Gillian Casey, son-in-law, David Miller and grandsons, Nathan and Kieran Miller of North Reading; siblings, Jim Hogan, Ann Shortt and Terry Murphy of Limerick, Ireland and Fidelma Hogan of Alton, New Hampshire, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Funeral Mass will be held at St. Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter St., North Reading on Saturday, December 5 at 10:30AM. Visitation will be private.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in her memory to the Alzheimer’s Association. Arrangements are by Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Louise (Ryan) Hanson – 90, of North Reading and formerly of Yarmouthport, MA, died at Royal Meadow View Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in North Reading on Saturday, November 28, 2020.

Born in Wakefield, MA on May 31, 1930, she was the wife of the late Richard N. Hanson and  daughter of the late Everett R. and Alice (Rattray) Ryan.  She was the sister of Carolyn (Ryan) Fuller of Peabody and the late Doris (Ryan) Pedersen.

Louise attended Wakefield schools and graduated from Wakefield High School in 1948.

Known as the “Story Hour Lady” at Flint Memorial Library in North Reading for 35 years , she instilled a love of books and reading in hundreds of children over the years.

A grandmother of 8 and great-grandmother of 11 she made great fruit pancakes which they still remember fondly, taught them how to knit, braided their hair beautifully (so tight!) and loved to cook for them.   She loved family gatherings and cooking and baking.

She and her husband Dick loved to travel and especially enjoyed Bermuda and many sailing trips in the Caribbean.  They camped with their family for many years with a large group of North Reading people at Terrace Pines in New Hampshire.

After many years in North Reading, they retired to Yarmouthport, MA where they made many more wonderful friends.  Having been very  active in their church life at the Union Congregational Church here in North Reading, they joined the West Yarmouth Church where they happily immersed themselves in their new church life.

Over the years Louise was active in Girl Scouts and Eastern Star.

Her surviving family members include her daughter, Nancy (Hanson) Thorn and husband William of North Reading; her son Douglas Hanson and wife Lori of Sandown, New Hampshire.  Eight grandchildren, Karen (Thorn) Putvinski & husband Mathew of Holliston, MA; Alison (Thorn) Bogrett & husband Richard of Haverhill, MA; Amy Thorn of North Reading; Kristina (Hanson) Wagnitz & husband Tony of Atkinson, New Hampshire; Jaclyn (Hanson) Freeman & husband Dan of Plaistow, New Hampshire; Joshua (Hanson) Stone and husband Jonathan of Flagstaff, New Mexico; Mindy (Hanson) Moutoux and husband Nate of Pataskala, OH and Daniel Hanson & husband Lance Guthrie of McLean, VA.

She had 11 great-grandchildren: Katelyn, Megan & Erin Putvinski; Abigail Thorn; Lexi & Libby Wagnitz; Ryan, Lily & Sam Freeman; Isaac & Madeleine Moutoux.

A memorial service will be held in the spring.  Interment will be at Puritan Lawn.

Memorial donations may be made to the West Yarmouth Church, 383 MA-28 West, Yarmouth, MA 02673; Union Congregational Church, 148 Haverhill Street, North Reading, MA 01864; or Flint Memorial Library, 147 Park Street, North Reading, MA  01864.  www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Donna M. (Keyser) McDonald – 71, of Andover and formerly of North Reading, passed away at her home on Friday, November 27, 2020.

Born in Melrose, MA on October 14, 1949, she was the daughter of the late James R. and Lorraine (Spadafora) Keyser. She was raised in and attended school in North Reading . She was a graduate of North Reading High School, Class of 1967 and a graduate of Northern Essex Community College.

Donna worked as a manager for New England Telephone, Nynex and Super Pages

She has been a resident of Andover for the past 50 years. Donna loved gardening, the Patriots, family, traveling and time at the Lake House.

Family members include her loving husband of 50 years, Daniel J. McDonald; her son, Daniel J. McDonald, II of Salem, NH, her daughter, Melissa Merritt and her husband Russell Merritt, III of Carver, MA and her sister, Pamela Elliott and her husband Winslow of Stratham, NH.

Visitation will be held at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading on Wednesday, December 2 from 1 to 3 PM. Memorial donations may be made in her memory to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Div. of Development & The Jimmy Fund, 10 Brookline Place West, Floor 6, Brookline, MA 02445-7226. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Mary Clare (Flintoft) Collings – 77, of North Reading, died Monday, November 23, 2020, at Winchester Hospital.

Born in White Plains, NY on September 24, 1943. She was the daughter of the late Gerald V. and Edith M. (O’Shaughnessy) Flintoft. She was a graduate of St. John’s High School in White Plains, NY, she received her B.A. From Manhattanville College, her B.S. from Columbia University and her Master’s Degree from Boston College.

Mary Clare was a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner for the Greater Lawrence Mental Health Center. She devoted her life to helping others deal with life’s trials. Although urged by her college professors, to pursue a graduate degree in English, she pursued a career in nursing specializing in counseling those suffering from mental health issues. After retiring, she counseled those suffering through bereavement.

She was a deeply religious person, she led a bereavement support group at St. Theresa’s Church with Father Thomas Powers and taught bible study at St. Augustine’s Church in Andover. She also led a weekly centering prayer group at St. Theresa’s Church.

Mary Clare has been a resident of North Reading for the past 49 years and an active member of St. Theresa’s Church for many years.

Family members include her loving husband, Honorable Robert B. Collings; sons, John Richard Collings and Christopher J.M. Collings; her daughter, Clare Collings Bradley; late brothers, Gerald J. Flintoft and Richard A. Flintoft (who died on November 21, 2020); 6 grandchildren, Christopher, Jr., Luke, Conor, Amelia, Robert and David.

Her Funeral Mass will be held at St. Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter Street (Rt. 62), North Reading on Saturday, November 28 at 10:30 AM. Visitation will be private. interment will be in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in her memory to: Rosie’s Place, 889 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02118 or to Contemplative Outreach, 1560 Union Valley Road, No. 909, West Milford, New Jersey 07480. Arrangements are by Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. www.croswellfuneralhome.com