Robert M. Lorton-age 88, of North Reading, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 23, 2024, at the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers following a prolonged illness. He was born on March 27, 1936, in North Conway, NH, to the late Archie and Alice (Murray) Lorton.

Bob’s early years were spent in Maine before the family moved to Lawrence, Indiana. They later returned to Lovell, Maine, where Bob graduated from Fryeburg Academy, class of 1954. While completing the General Electric Apprenticeship Program in Lynn, MA, Bob met and married Margaret DeAngelis. The couple settled in North Reading, where they raised their family.

Bob dedicated many years of his career as a manufacturing engineer at Compugraphic Corporation in Wilmington. He had been a North Reading resident for 65 years and was a long-time member of Trinity Evangelical Church.

Known for his good humor, quick wit, and love of sharing jokes, Bob enjoyed gardening, playing the trombone in community bands, watching and attending auto races, and cheering on the Celtics.

He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Margaret C. (DeAngelis) Lorton; his son, Robert L. Lorton and his wife Joyce of North Reading; his daughter, Cynthia Baker and her partner Charles McCoy of Kokomo, Indiana; his sister, Mary Wilson of Cumberland, Maine; two grandchildren, Matthew Lorton and his wife Danielle Navish of Boynton Beach,Florida, and Jessie Dang and her husband Anuj Dang of Nashville, Tennessee; two great-grandchildren, Henry Lorton and Vera Dang. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at Trinity Evangelical Church, 105 Haverhill Street, North Reading, on Saturday, September 21 at 2:00 PM. There will be no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Bob’s memory to Care Dimensions at caredimensions.org or the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research at michaeljfox.org.

Arrangements are under the direction of Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. For more information, please visit www.croswellfuneralhome.com.

Paul S. LaValle – 74, of North Reading and formerly of Malden, died Thursday, August 29, 2024 at Winchester Hospital. Calling hours will be held on Sunday, September 8^th from Noon to 2:00 PM, followed by Military Honors.

Helen E. (Costello) Parow – 102, of North Andover, formerly of North Reading and Medford, passed away on Monday, August 19, 2024. She was the loving wife of the late Walter J. Parow.

Born in Medford, MA on April 8, 1922, she was the daughter of the late John and Agnes (Kerrigan) Costello. Helen was predeceased by her 7 siblings and beloved son-in-law, John D. (Jack) McFarland.

Helen was raised in Medford and was a graduate of Medford High School, Class of 1940. She later graduated from Katherine Gibbs School of Business in Boston.

Helen moved to North Reading in 1953. She worked as an administrative assistant at the J. Turner Hood School in North Reading for 10 years and as the office manager for Dr. Frank Odlum, DDS for 15 years.

Helen was an active member and volunteer for St. Theresa’s Church in North Reading for many years; she was a member and Past President of the Ladies Sodality. She later became a member and volunteer of St. Michael’s Church in North Andover, where she was an organizer and leader for donations for the Accounting Group. She was also a member and volunteer for the North Andover Senior Center where she enjoyed playing bingo.

Helen was a loving mother, grandmother, and great- grandmother. Family members include her loving son, John E. Parow and his wife Patricia A. of Chelmsford; her daughters: Susan P. McFarland of Nantucket and significant other, Raymond D. Trudell of Arlington, Denise P. Roser and her husband, Robert F. of Williamsburg, VA; 3 grandchildren: Kelly M. Stratman and her husband, Stephen, Michael D. Parow, and William W. Parow; 3 great-grandchildren: Ella M. Stratman, Emery J. Stratman, and Kayla J. Parow.

Her Funeral Mass will be held at St. Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter Street, North Reading on Thursday, August 29 at 11:00 A.M.; the family will receive visitors prior to the Mass at 10:30 A.M. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Helen’s memory to: Compassus Hospice of North Andover, 790 Turnpike Street, Suite 202, North Andover, MA 01845. Arrangements by Croswell Funeral Home, North Reading.

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Marsha F. (Smith) Boulanger- 76, loving  wife of  Charles Boulanger, passed away peacefully on August 11, 2024, in Danvers, MA. She was born on December 8, 1947, in Lynn, MA.

Marsha graduated from Lynn English High School and continued her education at the Chandler School for Women. She dedicated 25 years of service to the General Electric in Lynn, MA where she met the love of her life, Charlie. It was not until her retirement to Bartlett, NH that she found her true calling of caring for animals at the Conway Area Humane Society. One of her favorite hobbies was gardening, where she found peace and joy taking care of her plants and flowers. She also had a passion for shopping on QVC, always excited to discover the perfect pair of shoes or a beautiful new pocketbook to add to her ever-growing collection.

Marsha is also survived by daughters, Jessica Cote and her husband Dana of Kensington, NH, and Jennifer Guarino and her husband Richard II of Boxford, MA; sisters, Thalia Blowers of Lynn, MA, and Roberta Smith of Marblehead, MA; grandchildren, Victoria Guarino, Maxwell Cote, Richard Guarino III, and Leah Guarino; nieces, Leslie Blake and her husband Charles of NH, Lorraine Depietro and her husband Anthony of GA, and Kristin Melendez and her husband William of RI. Marsha was preceded in death by her brothers, Russell and Kenneth Smith.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date to honor Marsha’s memory. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Conway Area Humane Society.

Marsha’s legacy of kindness, generosity, and love for her family and community will be cherished and remembered by all who knew her.

Arrangements are by Croswell Funeral Home, North Reading. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Kenneth M. Smith – 61, of North Reading and formerly of Andover, passed away on Friday, August 9, 2024 at the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers. He was the beloved husband of the late Patricia A. (Gaynor) Smith.

Born in Lawrence, MA on February 6, 1963, he was the son of the late John and Janet Louise (Pettingill) Smith Richardson. He was raised and attended school in North Reading and attended North Reading High School. Ken worked as a roof installer in the construction industry for many years. He has been a resident of North Reading for the past 10 Years.

Ken loved to be outdoors, he enjoyed gardening and was patient and compassionate. He loved dogs, he was quick, witty and very funny. He loved fishing, sports and enjoyed being with his friends.

Family members include his son, Christopher Smith; his daughter, Kristen Johnson; his brother, Leonard Smith; sisters, Audrey Anderson, Cheryl Varney, Virginia Richardson and Kim Nadeau; his stepfather, William Richardson and 2 grandchildren.

Visitation will be held on Monday, August 26, 2024 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. Interment will be in Williamstown, Vermont, at a later date. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in his memory to the MSPCA, 400 Broadway, Methuen, MA 01844.

www.croswellfuneralhome.com