Shawn  M.  Clair – 36, of North Reading, died unexpectedly on Friday, April 5, 2024 at Winchester Hospital. Family members include his loving brother Joseph Lemieux and stepfather Robert K. Murch, both of North Reading. He was the loving son of the late Sheila I. (Donegan) Lemieux, who died this past January. Services will be private.

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Aldeane Reed Bennett – 81, (Aldeane Eleanor Reed), born in New London, CT on April 15, 1942 and married to Alan Bruce Bennett of 62 years, passed away peacefully surrounded by family at High Pointe Hospice House in Haverhill, Massachusetts on April 2, 2024.

She answered to many names: Deanie, Sis, Sistah, Mom, Mom Bennett, Mrs. B, Grandma, Mema, Auntie Dee, and friend.

As a child Deanie wanted nothing more than to be a devoted and loving wife and mother. She proudly embraced this role and accomplished that goal many times over; resuming that role whenever someone was sick and in need.

In her younger years, having grown up in Mystic, Connecticut, she could be found roller skating around Mystic. She graduated from Stonington High School. After she and Alan were wedded on August 19, 1961, they began raising a family. During the summer months she could be found taking her family to Wingaersheek Beach or Stage Fort Park in Gloucester… any excuse to have a picnic.

Family was her number one love; her first priority. Her friends became family, her children’s friends became family. Family gatherings meant picnics! As the wife of an Army soldier she lived in several locations around the country. None of that mattered so long as Alan and her children were beside her. In 1972 Deanie and Alan settled in North Reading, Massachusetts where they flourished and raised their four children; turning the house into a home full of love and memories.

She was a devoted member of the Aldersgate United Methodist Church, where she sang in the choir and enjoyed time with the other Church-Mom’s prepping for pot luck dinners or crafting for the church fair and beautifying the church at Christmas time with the annual “hanging of the greens”. She was a representative for Doll Face canvas bags and embroidery. She was supportive of her children’s Scouting activities. And lately, a member of the Wakefield-Lynnfield United Methodist Church.

Deanie’s hands were equally never idle. At a young age those hands learned to play the flute, knitted, macramed, sewed, quilted, baked and decorated cakes for many weddings and special occasions, shucked peas with her sisters-in-laws and mother-in-law, and crafted innumerable things with love.

She loved the beach, the ocean, sailing on the “VERANJO”, her yard, the gardens, the flowers and the wildlife, but, woe be to the woodchucks that crossed that fence line! She loved all aspects of yardwork (so long as Alan was there to clean up the piles).

As an animal lover it was only natural that she took up employment at the Animal Hospital of Wakefield as a receptionist where she worked for many years.

She is survived by her loving and devoted husband Alan Bennett; daughter, Lezlie and her husband Steven Gallagher; her three sons, Bruce and his wife Vicki, Andrew and his wife Ester, Matthew and his wife Meredith; her brother, Walter Reed III; her nine grandchildren, Elizabeth, Aaron. Adam, Elias, Kylie, Thora, Tristan, Ethan and Evelyn and her great grandchildren, Jack and Bennett.

Calling hours will be on Friday, April 26th at 10:00 AM at the Wakefield-Lynnfield United Methodist Church, 273 Vernon St., Wakefield, MA 01880 with an 11:00 AM service. Immediately following will be the burial of ashes at the Riverside Cemetery off Elm Street in North Reading.

Robert J. Heselton – 54, of Reading and formerly of North Reading, died on Monday, April 1, 2024, at Bear Mountain at Reading, after a lengthy illness.

Born in Melrose, MA on March 18, 1970. He was raised in North Reading and was a graduate of David Prouty High School in Spencer, Class of 1991. He worked for Stop & Shop and Market Basket, as a grocery clerk. He also worked for the Barnside Restaurant in North Reading as a dishwasher.

He always had a positive attitude, a smile that lit up the room and his pure innocence. Rob was always willing to help others and was always there to support and cheer on his nephews and niece. He was always the life of the party, he loved all the Boston sports teams and especially enjoyed working at the grocery store.

Rob loved Special Olympics softball and basketball, where he was a Gold Medalist and a Medalist  for the flag football team. He was an assistant coach for Saugus Pop Warner Football and also had a Brown Belt in Judo.

He has been  a resident of Reading for the past ten years and was a life volunteer of  the Jimmy Fund.

Family members include his loving mother, Sharon Ann (Knight) Heselton of Reading; his brother, Fred Heselton and his wife Grace of Newbury and their son and daughter,  Joshua and Madison Heselton;  his sister, Laura Cole and her husband Michael of Saugus and their sons, Patrick and Shawn Cole. Also survived by many aunts, uncles and cousins here in Massachusetts and Florida. He was the son of the late Frederick M. Heselton.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 16 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in his memory to the Special Olympics.

www.croswellfiuneralhome.com

Carl Ryan – 97, of Malden and formerly of North Reading, passed away on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at CareOne in Concord, MA. He was the beloved husband of the late Jean A. (O’Brien) Ryan.

Born in Revere, MA on December 23, 1926, he was the son of the late Samuel and Grace (Woodland) Ryan. He was raised and attended school in North Reading, a graduate of the L.D. Batchelder School in North Reading and of Reading Memorial High School. He was a veteran of World War II, having enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1944 at age 17 and having served until 1946.

Carl was a retired iron worker who worked as a highly accomplished foreman and construction worker for many decades. He took excellent care of his workers, and only occasionally rode the wrecking ball down to lunch. Some of his works include the New England Aquarium, the Seabrook power station, and the Route 93 bridge. He was an extremely loving and dedicated father and grandfather who loved boating, water-skiing, riding motorcycles and driving the many chrome-detailed cars he had over the years. Carl was a devoted fan of the Red Sox who also had a brief stint as a minor league ball player, and was a great guy to watch a ballgame with. He has been a resident of Malden for more than thirty years.

Family members include his son, Carl Ryan, Jr. and his  wife Ana; his granddaughter, Jeanne Ryan and numerous nieces and nephews.

His funeral will be held on Saturday, April 6 at 10:30 AM at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. Visitation will be held on Friday, April 5 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Interment will be in Oak Grove Cemetery in Medford.

www.croswellfuneralhome.com