Katharine Griffin Barr – 85, of North Reading, formerly of New York, Bermuda, and Boston, passed away on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at Hathorne Hill Rehabilitation in Danvers, after a lengthy illness.

Born in New York City, New York on May 2, 1939, she was the daughter of the late Arnold M. and Elizabeth (Bunn) Griffin. She grew up in upstate New York.

Katharine graduated in 1961 from the School of Speech and Dramatic Art at Syracuse University in Syracuse, NY. She spent most of her career as a copy writer in direct marketing, working for various firms in New England and later opening her own business.

As a teenager she wanted to be a pilot and took flying lessons. When she turned 50, she resumed her lessons and got her pilot license. She was active in the Ninety-Nines, International Organization of Women Pilots. Katharine was a member of the Andover Rotary Club and a member and writer for the North Reading Senior Center. She was a member and attended St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in Marblehead. Katharine has lived in North Reading for over 35 years.

Katharine is the sister of Jan Griffin and the former wife of the late Kenneth Barr. Services will be private and she requested her ashes to be scattered in Bermuda, where she lived in the early 1960’s and visited often.

In Katharine’s memory please offer your time and resources for a senior citizen in need of visits and support. Arrangements are under the direction of the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Mary P. (Cunningham) Beagen – Hudson, 91 of North Andover and formerly of North Reading passed peacefully in her sleep on Tuesday, January 28, 2025.

Born in Boston, MA on November 4, 1933. She was the daughter of the late Thomas and Mary (Harnish) Cunningham. Mary was raised in Roxbury, she attended St. Patrick’s Catholic Schools. She then entered the U.S. Air Force, she was a Korean War Veteran, retiring after 3 years of honorable service.

Mary raised her family in North Reading, where she enjoyed cooking and entertaining her four children and many friends. For many, many years Mary worked tirelessly caring for her daughter Maureen who suffered from Cystic Fibrosis.

Reading was one of Mary’s passions, sometimes having two books going at the same time. She was an active fund raiser and Ambassador for Cystic Fibrosis. She was a North Reading Youth Hockey and Little League Baseball Mom and an active fund raiser for both. Mary was always there to support her children. Mary was also involved in the North Reading Theater Workshop where she took on lead rolls in Annie, Fiddler on the Roof, Annie Get Your Gun, Carousel and Man of La Mancha.

Mary had great Jeopardy skills, often beating the contestants with answering questions. Mary always loved large Christmas gatherings with lots of presents for everyone.

Along with her Husband Dave she enjoyed a seasonal camp site at Old Stage Campground, Madbury, NH. Together they toured the U.S. and Canada in their RV many times.

Mary will be sadly missed by family members which include her loving sons, William S. Beagen of Haverhill, Michael T. Beagen, Ted Beagen and Patty Aloisi of North Andover. Extended family members include, Donna Smith of Griswald CT, Dave and Doreen Hudson of Upton, Ray and Maria Hudson of Burlington and Ellen & Louis Cobuccio of Tewksbury; along with many nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great grandchildren and many friends. Mary was pre-deceased by loving daughter Maureen P. Beagen and her husbands, Rudolph T. Beagen and Junior Dave Hudson.

Calling hours for Mary will be held on Thursday, February 6, 2025, from 4:00 – 8:00 PM at Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow St., North Reading. Her funeral to be held from the Funeral Home on Friday, February 7, 2025 from 9:15 AM, followed by a 10:30 AM Funeral Mass at St. Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter St., North Reading. Burial to follow at Riverside Cemetery, 171 Elm St., North Reading. Memorial donations may be made in her memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude PL, Memphis, TN 38105-9959.   www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Ruth I.  (Sommerfelt) Quam – 92, of North Reading and formerly of Melrose, passed away at her home on Thursday, January 16, 2025. She was the beloved wife of the late Duwayne A. Quam.

Born in Melrose, MA on August 22, 1932, she was the daughter of the late Carl and Marie I. (Karlson) Sommerfelt. Ruth was raised and attended school in Melrose, she was a graduate of Melrose High School and she later attended business school.

Ruth was a Sales Representative in the electronics industry, she worked for W.R. Grace and for Chomerics. Ruth was always the one to help, she always was the Voice of Reason. She was a voracious reader and she loved traveling to many places including Russia, Italy and Norway. She has been a resident of North Reading for the past 66 years.

Family members include her loving sons, Dean, Alan and Eric Quam; 4 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. Services will be held at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading.

www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Pauline A. (Martino) Hall, 90, of North Reading, formerly of Wakefield, MA died in her home, surrounded by family, on Friday, January 24, 2025. She was the beloved wife of Gordon R. Hall for 67 years. Born in Wakefield on March 19, 1934, she was the daughter of the late John and Evelyn (Chetwynde) Martino. She was raised and attended Wakefield public schools and was a graduate of Wakefield High School.

Pauline raised her family of six children and later took on the finances of the family business, Hall Sheetmetal Works, Inc., for many years. When her time was her own, she enjoyed cooking, reading, traveling with Gordon and spending time with her three sisters. She was a very talented artist, and her artwork hangs in her home as well as the homes of all her children. Some of her other hobbies included dance, clogging with the Yankee Doodle Cloggers and singing in the choir at the Union Congregational Church where she was a member for over 60 years. She and Gordon also enjoyed the friendships and activities of the North Reading Minit and Militia.

Family members include her loving children, Jeffrey D. Hall and his wife Deborah of Georgetown, Mark G. Hall and his wife Judy of North Reading, Michael D. Hall and his wife Darlene of Boxford, Amy Hall Stiles of West Newbury, and Cathleen Hall Young and her husband Kenneth Young of Reading. She was predeceased by her beloved daughter Beth Ann Hall. Pauline was affectionately known as Grammy Coo Coo, (she has a Cuckoo clock in her home) to her seventeen grandchildren, four great grandchildren and was expecting two more at the time of her passing;  she was the sister to  Carol Hood of Franklin, MA, Jacqueline Mills of Breinigsville, PA, and the late Jeanette Bengston of North Reading, MA; she was the aunt to many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to Patty and Luz Lara for their exceptional care and compassion shown to Pauline during her time of need.

Calling hours will be 4:00 to 7:00 pm on Friday, January 31^st  at Croswell Funeral Home,19 Bow Street in North Reading. The funeral service will be on Saturday, February 1^st at 10:00 am at the Union Congregational Church, 148 Haverhill Street in North Reading. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Kidney Fund or The American Parkinson Disease Association.

www.croswellfuneralhome.com