Published in the April 9, 2018 edition.
LOWELL — Dorothy Jane “Dee” (Schmal) McFadden, 52, a popular, well-known and beloved caregiver, died unexpectedly Friday morning, April 6, 2018 at her Lowell Home, from an apparent heart attack. She was the beloved wife and friend over twenty-years of Michael F. “Mike” McFadden, with whom she had celebrated a seven-year wedding anniversary this past July 22. From their first date and forward, Dee and Mike made a perfect couple.
Dee was born in Boston, a daughter of the late Dorothy M. (Manning) (Schmal) Newton, was raised in “Southie,” and later in Tewksbury, by her mother and step-dad, Richard H. Newton. She moved to Tewksbury in 1978 and had resided in Lowell for the past 20 years.
Dee will be remembered for her radiant smile, complete with dimples, her outgoing personality, her charm, and exemplified “Joie De Vie” or “The Joy of Life.” She was a lifelong caregiver, especially to her beloved grandfather Schmal, and thrived in her job as a beautician and caregiver at Tewksbury Hospital, with a career that spanned more than twenty-six years.
Dee was described as always helping others, a cook that made sure you never left her home hungry, loved the time she spent with her extended family and friends, and was bitten by the travel bug, with travel to the Caribbean, especially the Virgin Islands, high on her list of “favorite things.”
Besides her husband, she leaves a daughter, Christine M. Schmal of Billerica; three step-children, Melanie Lopez and her husband Sergio of Nashua, N.H., Meghan Stavro and her husband Dan of Hudson, N.H., and Justin McFadden of Calif.; five grandchildren, Breena, Brendan, Julian, Adrian, and Avery; three siblings, Jack Schmal and his wife Karen of Wakefield, Jim Schmal of Dracut, and Lori Schmal of Dracut; many nieces and nephews; and was pre-deceased by her brother, Bobby Schmal.
Dee will be missed by all she touched, especially her husband Mike.
Visiting hours Tuesday, from 3 until 7 p.m. in the Tewksbury Funeral Home, corner of 1 Dewey and 975 Main Sts. (Rte. 38) (Tewksbury Center). Her funeral will begin Wednesday at 8:45 a.m. from the funeral home, followed by a funeral Mass, Wednesday, April 11, at 10 a.m. in the Immaculate Conception Church, 144 E. Merrimack St., Lowell. Visit tewksburyfuneralhome.com.
