On Friday, March 3, 2023, Roberta Jean Covert (Heintz) of North Andover, formerly of North Reading, beloved wife, mother, and Mimi passed away unexpectedly at her home. She was seventy years old. Born on September 28, 1952 in Sanger, California to the late Dorothy J. Heintz (Boyce) and Fred E. Heintz. Roberta or Robbie as most called her, graduated from Burlington High School in 1970.

She was a former bank teller, stay-at-home mother, and medical biller for countless years before her retirement in 2020. She was an avid reader and loved watching all sports, mostly the Bruins, Patriots and Red Sox. Her favorite thing above all was spending time with her grandchildren.

She is survived by her husband, Robert J. Covert. They were high school sweethearts and have been together for 53 years, marrying in 1974. Family members include her son, Robert J. Covert Jr. of Andover and his partner Heather Nutter (Wood) and their children Cameron and Chloe. As well as her daughter, Danielle Callahan (Covert) of North Andover and her husband Michael J. Callahan and their children, Emily and Jack. She is also survived by her two loving brothers, Fred Heintz and his wife Janice of Chester, NH and Clark Heintz and his wife Jennifer of Bow, NH. She was also the aunt to many nieces and nephews.

A private gathering and celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Kristin M. Callahan Foundation (www.kristincallahan.org). Arrangements are under the direction of the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow St., North Reading. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Norman D. Goddu – 82, of Peabody and formerly of Salem, MA, died on Wednesday, March 1, 2023, at the Lahey Hospital and Medical Center in Burlington.

Born in Salem, MA on November 4, 1940, he was the son of the late Lionel and Jeanette (Gagnon) Goddu. Norm was a U.S. Army Veteran, serving from 1960 to 1963.

He worked for 23 years as a heavy equipment mechanic and welder for Northeast Nursery in Peabody. He was always willing to share his extensive knowledge of mechanics with anyone needing help. He had the gift of bartering for goods or services.

Norm enjoyed building custom cars and hot rods. He was a member of the Throttlers Car Club. He has been a resident of Peabody for the past 50 years.

Family members include his loving wife of forty years, Susan R. (Mann) Goddu; his brother Arthur Goddu and his sisters, Joan Raymond and Claire Morong. Also survived by several nieces and nephews.

His Memorial Service will be held on Friday, March 17 at Noon at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. Visitation will be held from 10:30 to 11:45 AM, prior to the Memorial Service. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in his memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Donald F. Sharp – 83, of Lowell and formerly of Wilmington, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 19, 2023.

Born in Cambridge, MA on August 1, 1939. He was the son of the late Norman R. and Mary E. (Doherty) Sharp. Don was a star athlete at Wilmington High School, Class of 1957.

Don loved spending time with his family and friends, travelling and summers spent at Pawtuckaway Lake in Nottingham, NH. Don was an avid Boston sports fan. He was a member of the North Reading Men’s Softball League for many years and he coached Little League Baseball in Lowell in the early eighties. He loved fishing, golfing, reading and card games with friends.

Don was one of the most humble, big hearted personalities you were privileged to know. His love for family and friends was beyond measure. He had the most positive outlook on life and had a wonderful sense of humor.

Family members include his loving wife of 61 years, Barbara A. (Martyn) Sharp; his daughters, Julie A. Mendonca, Donna M. Sharp and Cynthia L. Sharp and her husband Moizes Echevarria; late brothers, Norman R. Sharp and Walter E. Sharp; sisters, Marion (Sharp) Clements and the late Dorothy G. (Sharp) Clements; 5 grandchildren, Shawn, Keiana, Ben, Jordan and Sophie; one great granddaughter, Payton; and his daughters pets, Maisie and Roxy.

His Funeral Mass will be Celebrated on Saturday, February 25 at 11:00 AM at St. Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter Street, North Reading. Calling hours will be held prior to the Funeral Mass from 8:30 to 10:30 AM at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in his memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959.

St. Theresa’s Live Stream Link

Livestream | St. Theresa | North Reading, MA (sttheresanreading.org)

www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Laurie  Ann (Crowe) Powell, 63, of Claremore, Oklahoma and formerly of North Reading, Massachusetts,  passed on February 11, 2023.

Born February 11, 1960, in Boston, MA to Richard Howard Crowe and Elaine Agnes (Brinkmann) Crowe, Laurie Ann grew up in North Reading, Massachusetts. She married Jeffrey Powell on May 25^th, 1985. They have five children: Bethany, Daniel, Rebecca, Benjamin, and Elijah.

Laurie Ann was passionate about sharing the gospel and loved music and storytelling all her life. She and Jeff wrote songs together, which are recorded in several albums. She homeschooled all of her kids through high school, surrounded by instruments and books. A shared adventurous spirit led her and Jeff to move to the West Coast then Japan before making Oklahoma home base, always looking for opportunities to bless others. From that base they travelled to Nepal, India, Croatia, Ecuador and more. Everywhere she went Laurie Ann jumped into connecting to other moms and building communities, starting homeschool groups, a gospel choir, and a healthy living business where she coached others and taught. Always ready to get in costume and put on a show, she was the author of a musical, a memoir, and countless fantastic talks.

While she is rejoicing to be with God after two years of living with cancer, she will be deeply missed by a wide circle of friends in addition to her husband and children, including her siblings Richard, William, James, Catherine, Barbara, John, nine nieces and nephews, and their extended family.

Visitation will be held on Monday, February 20 from 9:30 to 11:45 AM, followed by a Noon Funeral Service at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in her memory to younglivingfoundation.org

croswellfuneralhome.com

Stephen J. Gill – 83, of Wakefield, formerly of Melrose and North Reading, passed away at his home on Monday, February 6, 2023.

Born in Boston, MA on June 9, 1939. He was the son of the late William H. and Mary F. (Leonard) Gill. He was raised in North Reading. He was a former resident of Melrose for 34 years and has been a resident of Wakefield for the past 13 years. He attended the Calvary Christian Church in Lynnfield.

Being the eldest of the other residents in his group home, he liked to ‘’play the role” of a father, telling what or how things are done (especially around the dinner table, lol). He also enjoyed making people laugh, especially the staff in his home.  He loved fishing, going to worship service at church and sharing holidays with his family. He enjoyed watching the New England Patriots and Boston Red Sox. Since Covid, he enjoyed “TV” Church, as well as the news. Near the end he very much enjoyed the staff reading Bible Scripture to him.

He worked part time sweeping and cleaning for Mikes Auto Body in Malden.

Family members include his loving brothers, Kevin Gill, Edward Gill, David Gill and Timothy Gill; sisters, Pat (Gill) Reynolds and Donna (Gill) Mondou; he was the brother of the late William, Robert, Richard and Ronald Gill; he is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

His Funeral will be held at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading on Friday, February 17 at 6:00 PM, visitation will be held prior to the Funeral from 3:00 to 5:45 PM. Memorial donations may be made in his memory to the charity of one’s choice. www.croswellfuneralhome.com