Josephine E. Bernier

Loving mother; grandmother, great grandmother and sister;

Josephine E. (Kloppenburg) Bernier, 61, of Lowell died Wednesday July 29, 2020 at Lowell General Hospital.

She was the wife of James Bernier.

Born in Medford, Massachusetts, May 15, 1959, a daughter of the late William and the late Lillian (Uttaro) Kloppenburg, she enjoyed camping and the outdoors.

Prior to her retirement, she was a phlebotomy technician for several years.

Besides her husband, Josephine is survived her daughter Lillian E. Potter of Lowell; two sons Albert M. Potter and his wife Isabel of Lowell and Neil E. Sorensen and his wife Kristy of Pelham, NH; ten grandchildren Tyler, Justin, Kelsi and her husband Chris, Tristan, Austin, Mia, Neil, David, Nathan and Paul; four great grandchildren Jaxson, Tristan, Jr., Rosalise and Elliot; a sister Lillian Michalczyk of Dracut; two brothers William Kloppenburg and Louis Kloppenburg both of Lowell; and several nieces and nephews.

Her Funeral Service will be held at Tewksbury Cemetery on Tuesday September 8, 2020 at 12:00 Noon. E-condolences at www.odonnellfuneralhome.com. Arrangements by the O’DONNELL FUNERAL HOME – LOWELL, MA (978) 458-8768.

Rosemary (Keefe) McMahon, R.N.

Beloved mother and sister;

Rosemary (Keefe) McMahon R.N. of Lowell, MA., daughter of the late John J. Keefe and Rose (Ficco) Keefe, passed peacefully on August, 20, 2020, at the Age of 88.

Beloved wife of the late Robert McCoy McMahon, devoted mother of Bob and his wife Jennifer Prizer McMahon of Charlestown and Martha’s Vineyard, MA, Rosemary is survived by brothers Robert, Raymond and Francis Keefe, and dozens of nieces and nephews from her 7 brothers, including deceased brothers John, William, Thomas and Joseph Keefe.

Rosemary was retired from the Lowell School Department after many years

in corporate nursing at Raytheon and Mass Electric, and after working for Lowell Visiting Nurses. “Rosie,” as her friends and family called her, counted many life-long friends who took this journey of life with her until the very end.

Often the life of the party, Rosie enjoyed listening and singing along with friends to the music of Barbara Streisand, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Tom Jones and lots of Broadway and Christmas tunes. On many Thanksgivings, Rosie and family welcomed Lowell’s own Ed McMahon to town, to celebrate the holiday with family, alongside Ed’s beloved aunt, Mary Brennan, who also helped to raise Rosie’s son, Bob.

Rosie’s personal story is one of strength and resilience.

Married to her husband, Bob, in 1957, a mere two years later she found herself alone with her 13 month old son, called Roby at that time, now Bob, when her husband passed away due to the polio outbreak in Lowell in August of 1959. Her husband got sick on a Friday, was placed in an iron lung the next day, and died the following Monday morning. In that single weekend life changed most dramatically for her. With little money left after her husband’s funeral, Rosie buckled down and moved forward as best she could to craft a comfortable life for her son.

Life would soon test Rosie’s strength again. When her son was under ten years of age, Rosie was diagnosed with Lobar pneumonia and confined to hospital for three months. It looked very much like Rosie wouldn’t make it to those supervising her care. But she never gave up, came home, quit smoking completely and never looked back, enjoying a long career in nursing.

Rosie loved being a nurse. While at Raytheon, a co-worker suffered a life-threatening heart attack and was saved by Rosie’s quick action. A similar event happened at Mass Electric and one can only imagine how grateful those families were that Rosie was there for them, a nurse, doing what nurses do for people they’ve never met. Something we all can surely relate to today, as we navigate Covid-19 and witness the strength and resilience of our front line nurses, doctors and so many other essential workers from all walks of life.

About 8 years ago Rosie developed Alzheimer’s and was admitted first to Bayberry at Emerald Court, an assisted living facility, and then moved to D’Youville Life and Wellness Community. As Rosie entered Bayberry they thought she had about 18 months to live, considering the quickly developing onslaught of her Alzheimer’s. But once again she put up the good fight for 7 more years, aided by the wonderful care she received at D’Youville in Lowell.

A private celebration of Rosie’s life took place on Tuesday August 25th at St Patrick’s Cemetery in Lowell. E-condolences at www.odonnellfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, a donation to fund Alzheimer’s research would be much appreciated by Rosie’s family and all who continue to fight with this horrible disease. https://act.alz.org/site/TR/Events/Tributes-AlzheimersChampions?pg=fund&fr_id=1060&pxfid=645506. Arrangements by the O’DONNELL FUNERAL HOME – LOWELL, MA (978) 458-8768.

Calvin L. Beede, Sr.

Retired Owner and Operator L.O. Beede and Sons, Inc.

Calvin L. Beede, Sr., 93, of Amherst, New Hampshire but formerly of Lowell, Massachusetts, died Monday August 17, 2020 in Hudson, Florida after a brief illness.

He was the loving husband of the late Florence N. (Simon) Beede and the late Rose M. (Batchon) Beede.

Born in Lynn, Massachusetts, October 19, 1926, a son of the late Louis and the late Mabel F. (Spinney) Beede, he attended Lynn schools and was a graduate of Lynn English High School Class of 1943. He went on to attend Norwich University before entering the service.

A veteran of World War II, he proudly served his country with the U.S. Navy.

At age 80, Calvin retired as the owner and operator of L.O. Beede & Sons, a 3rd generation producer of industrial wood products.

A devout member of his church, St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church in Lowell, he was a former Sunday school teacher and Parish Council member.

Calvin was a 32nd Degree Mason and a 72 - year member of the Marblehead, MA Philanthropic Lodge. He was also a member of the Shriners.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, travelling, hockey, dancing and roller skating; being with his family brought him great joy, which included Sunday outings at Salem Willows and summer vacations at the Cape.

Calvin had an easy smile and an optimistic outlook that will be remembered by all those who knew him.

He is survived by three children Louise A. Curtis and her husband Bruce of Amherst, NH, Calvin L. Beede, Jr. of Gainesboro, TN and Rose M. Beede of New Port Richey, FL; a granddaughter Jacqueline M. Cook and her husband Robert of Amherst, NH; two great grandchildren Makenna Cook and Dean Cook; a sister-in-law Louise A. Elwell of Burlington, MA; and several nieces and nephews.

He was also the father of the late James L. Beede and predeceased by his siblings Frederick Beede, Clifford Beede, Frances Townsend and Clara Beede.

Due to Covid 19 restrictions all services are private for the family. His committal service will take place at the Pine Grove Cemetery in Lynn, MA. E-condolences at www.odonnellfuneralhome.com. Those wishing can make contributions in his memory to St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, 44 Bowers St., Lowell, MA 01854. Arrangements by the O’DONNELL FUNERAL HOME – LOWELL, MA (978) 458-8768.

Lillian M. Beakey

Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend;

Lillian M. (Donohoe) Beakey, 91, of Lowell, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on Monday August 17, 2020 at Willow Manor in Lowell.

She was the beloved wife of the late Richard A. Beakey who died on February 16, 2020.

Born in Lowell, Massachusetts, October 6, 1928, a daughter of the late Patrick and the late Mary (Duffy) Donohoe, she attended Lowell schools and was a graduate of Lowell High School Class of 1946.

Lilian worked for many years at Raytheon in Andover as a clerk.

She had many interests but her favorite time was when she was with her family, especially her grandchildren.

Lillian is survived by two daughters Annmarie Cricones of South Portland, ME and Marianne Richards and her husband Robert of Groton, MA; a son

Thomas R. Beakey and his wife Catherine of Auburn, NH; five grandchildren Kristen Beakey, Melissa Beakey, Paul Cricones and his wife Candie, Marissa Richards and Kaley Richards; three great grandchildren Alexia Cricones, Connor Cricones and Caleb Ela; a sister Virginia Ouellette of Cotuit, MA; a brother Rev. Thomas Donohoe of Lowell; and 6 nieces and nephews.

Due to Covid 19 restrictions, a private Funeral Mass for the family was held at the Immaculate Conception Church in Lowell followed by burial in St. Patrick Cemetery. E-condolences at www.odonnellfuneralhome.com. Those wishing may make contributions in her memory to Shriner’s Hospital, for Children, 51 Blossom St., Boston, MA 02114 or https://donatelovetotherescue.org. Arrangements by the O’DONNELL FUNERAL HOME – LOWELL – (978) 458-8768.