Wakefield Obituaries

A wonderful cook and homemaker

PEABODY — Josephine A. Rich, 95, of Peabody and formerly of Wakefield, died Thursday, January 20 in Danvers with her children by her side. She was born in Wakefield on December 26, 1926 and was the daughter of the late Salvatore and Theresa (Cataldo) Ripa. She was raised in Wakefield…

Loving wife and mother

HOLDEN – Andrea J. (Bassler) Dowd, 61, beloved wife of William J. Dowd and loving mother of Casey P. Dowd, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 21, 2022 at the Rose Monahan Hospice Home in Worcester. Relatives and friends are invited to visit with her family from 4 to 7 p.m…

Funeral service on Monday, Jan. 24

WAKEFIELD — Aida Bianca (Pittella) Alleca, 93, of Wakefield, joined her late husband, Paul Kenneth Alleca, on January 13, 2022. She is survived by three children: son, Joseph Paul Alleca, daughter-in-law Suzanne, grandchildren David and Adam; daughter Carol Alleca, grandchildren Releen and Franco Franceschelli; daughter Mary Alleca, son-in-law Gary…

A kind hearted woman who loved her family

NORTH READING — Gail E. (Downey) Strong, 83, of North Reading and formerly of Wakefield, died Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at the Royal Meadow View Nursing Center in North Reading.

Born in Melrose on October 11, 1938. She was the daughter of the late Gordan and Grace…

An avid sports fan, loved traveling and playing golf

PEABODY — Paul R. Colwell Jr., 64 of Peabody, formerly of Wakefield, died on Monday, January 17 at his home.

He was born in Melrose and was the son of Paul R. Colwell, Sr. and the late Nancy (Farrell) Colwell, currently of Burlington.

Paul grew up…

A loving mother and grandmother

BEVERLY — Barbara V. Brinkers, 88, formerly of Wakefield and Lynnfield, died on Monday, January 10 at the Blueberry Hill Rehabilitation Center in Beverly.

She was born in New Haven, Conn. on January 20, 1933 and was the daughter of the late Francis and Mary (Yanish) Antin.

Barbara was a…

A longtime art teacher who loved to garden

WAKEFIELD — JoAnn Koulouris Sparks, 66, died Thursday, January 13, 2022 in Beverly Hospital.

JoAnn was born on April 22, 1955 in Melrose, a daughter of Greek immigrants, George and Ethel (Scruftis) Koulouris. Raised in Wakefield, she graduated from Wakefield High School and later earned her Bachelor’s…

A soft spoken, kind and loving woman

NORTH ANDOVER — Susan “Susie” (Hurton) Levine passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 after a period of failing health. Susan was a caring wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. She was the first of twelve children in the Hurton family of Wakefield and family always came…

A loyal and kind friend, had a great love for animals

WAKEFIELD — Jean (Holden) Mooney, a longtime resident of Stoneham and Wakefield, passed away on January 7, 2022. Jean celebrated her 100th birthday on July 30, 2021. She was born in Stoneham in 1921, the daughter of Amasa Albert Holden, a Wirthmore Feeds salesman…

Enjoyed vacationing across America and trips abroad

WAKEFIELD — Joyce M. Sullivan, 92, of Wakefield died peacefully at home on Tuesday, January 11.

She was born in Lynn on April 5, 1929 and was the daughter of the late James L. and Anna M. (Barnes) Burkinshaw.

Joyce was a graduate of St. Mary’s Girl’s High…

Loved walking around Lake Q with her dogs

WAKEFIELD — Marjorie A. Rapallo, 83, of Wakefield and formerly of Medford died January 8 in Melrose.

She was born July 19,1938 and was the daughter of the late Albert and Margaret (Carter) Deschamps.

She was raised in Medford and was a graduate of Medford High School…

Enjoyed spending winters in Florida

WAKEFIELD — Alice M. Pelletier, 76, of Wakefield, died in Melrose on January 9, 2022.

She was born in Revere on July 25, 1945 and was the daughter of the late John and Julia (Chiros) Ferri.

She was a lifelong Wakefield resident was retired from the John Hancock Insurance Company…