North Reading Obituaries

Beloved by her family

Published February 18, 2021

NORTH READING — Shirley H. (Bigelow) Thompson, 95, of North Reading, passed away on Tuesday, February 9, 2021.

Born on April 26, 1925, she was the beloved wife of the late Wilbur Thompson. Shirley was the loving mother of Denise Hashem and her husband John of North…

Published February 18, 2021

Dedicated to her family and friends

FINCASTLE, Va. — Kathleen Marie (Torrice) Currier, 85, of Fincastle, Virginia, and longtime native of North Reading, passed away on February 10, 2021 after a long-fought battle with Alzheimer’s.

She is preceded in death by her dear sisters and brothers, Mary Beauchamp and her husband…

Beloved special education teacher, tutor

Published February 11, 2021

NOKOMIS, Florida — Judith Mary Donahoe, 79, passed away on January 29, 2021 in the presence of her loving husband of 56 years.

Born on September 7, 1941 in Paterson, New Jersey, Judy was the daughter of Kathryn Fitzsimmons and raised in Fair Lawn, New Jersey…

Loved spending time in Maine

Published February 4, 2021

MELROSE — Elsa Hannegan Quinn passed away on Jan. 31, 2021.

A lifelong Melrose resident and graduate of Melrose High School, Elsa was predeceased by her husband, John M. Quinn, on April 17, 2020; and by her son, Michael Thomas Quinn, on May 4, 2001.

She…

Family was his deepest joy

Published February 4, 2021

DENISON, TEXAS — John Edward Waitt, 59, of Denison, Texas, formerly of North Reading, Massachusetts, died from complications of COVID-19 following a five-week battle against the virus that has claimed the lives of millions. The final beat of his heart here on earth occurred at 10:22…

NRHS graduate taught preschool in Wakefield

Published February 4, 2021

WOBURN — Bonnie Ann Burke, 65, of Woburn, formerly of Wakefield and North Reading, died Saturday, January 30, 2021 at the Lahey Clinic and Medical Center in Burlington.

Born January 4, 1956, she was the daughter of the late Francis MacFarland and Marjorie (Eagleson) Gass…

Former resident

Published February 4, 2021

HAVERHILL — Richard A. Nichols, 64, of Haverhill, formerly of North Reading, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 17, 2021 at the Merrimack Valley Hospice House in Haverhill after a lengthy battle with multiple sclerosis.

Richard was the son of the late Mildred (Lunt) and Lionel Nichols of North…

Taught exercise classes into her 80s

Published February 4, 2021

READING — Dorothy E. (McAvoy) Costello, 102, of Reading and formerly of North Reading, died at her daughter’s home in Pelham, N.H. on Monday, January 25, 2021. She was the beloved wife of the late James Costello.

Born in Cambridge on February 26, 1918, she…

Loved spending time with family 

Published February 4, 2021

NORTH ANDOVER — Kathleen F. (Finnegan) Simone, 79, of North Andover, passed away on January 27, 2021.

Kathleen was the beloved wife of Rodney L. Simone Sr. for 56 years. She was the loving mother of Kim Brandano and her husband Tony of North Reading; Kevin…

Devoted to his family

Published January 28, 2021

WEST ROXBURY — Michel J. Dagher, 88, of West Roxbury, formerly of Roslindale, passed away on Jan. 19, 2021.

Michel was the dear and devoted husband of Georgette (Rizk). He was the loving father of Lina Gallotto and her husband Ottaviano of North Reading, Ghada Ponte and…

Voracious reader, expert cook, cherished Nonna

Published January 28, 2021

NORTH READING — Rena M. (Berni) Biasella, 92, of North Reading, passed away on Saturday, January 23, 2021. The beloved wife of the late Armando Biasella, she was the loving mother of Joanne DeVoe and her husband Richard of North Reading and the loving grandmother…

Loved to travel, play bridge, entertain

Published January 28, 2021

NORTH READING — Eleanor (Billharz) Fritsch, 92, of North Reading and formerly of Seaford, Long Island, N.Y., died Saturday, Jan. 23, 2021.

She was the beloved wife of 64 years of the late John G. Fritsch.

Born in New York, New York on June 14…