Margaret P. Keefe

Owner of the former "The House of Erwin" 

Margaret P. Keefe, a lifelong resident of Lowell, passed away peacefully with family and close friends by her side at the home of her niece, Margaret “Peggy” Walker, with whom she has made her home for the past eleven years.

A daughter of Timothy G. and Catherine (Forde) Keefe of Ireland, Margaret was born on February 19, 1918 and had recently celebrated her 102nd birthday. She attended Lowell Public Schools and was a proud graduate of Lowell High School. Shortly after graduation from high school, Margaret began working at The House of Erwin, a local women’s dress shop.

While working, she continued her education taking business courses and preparing for her career. When the opportunity arose, she fulfilled her dream to become an independent business woman as the sole proprietor of The House of Erwin.

Margaret was a trailblazer for young women today because it was very rare at that time for a young, single, female to own and operate a business. She thrived in this role for over 30 years. Frequently traveling to New York to choose the latest fashions for women in the Greater Lowell area, she became well known for her sense of style and elegance.

A lifelong member of St. Margaret of Scotland Church, Margaret was devoted to the Blessed Mother and reciting the rosary was a daily ritual. After retirement, she volunteered for many years at what was known as St. John’s Hospital. Always active in the community, Margaret held past memberships in the St. Margaret of Scotland Church Sodality, The Ladies of Charity, The Seton Guild and The Chamber of Commerce.

In her younger years, Margaret enjoyed skiing, tennis, and traveling. However, her favorite pastime was spending time with her family and caring for those she loved. She always offered something valuable without reservation such as her time, her home, her encouragement, prayers, financial support and her love, freely given with her warm and considerate nature. Our families were blessed to have had such a strong, nurturing woman in our lives. She will be lovingly remembered by all those whose lives she touched.

Margaret was predeceased by her siblings and their spouses, Mary and John Scholl, Rita and Herbert Carr, George and Pauline Keefe and Anne and William Walker. In addition to her niece Peggy, Margaret is survived by her nieces and nephews from the Scholl, Carr, Keefe and Walker families, a cousin, Dorothy Tierney from Holliston, MA and her cousins from Galway, Ireland, Coirle Forde, Ann Walshe, Dermot Forde and Ann Sheridan.

Due to current circumstances, funeral services were held privately. Burial took place at St. Patrick Cemetery in Lowell. A Celebration of Life ceremony for Margaret will be held at a later date yet to be determined. E-condolences at www.odonnellfuneralhome.com. Those wishing may make contributions in her memory to Catholic Television, Box 9196, 34 Chestnut Street, Watertown. Arrangements by O’DONNELL FUNERAL HOME – LOWELL, MA. - (978) 458-8768.

Marilyn (Leahy) Gill

Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and aunt;

Marilyn (Leahy) Gill passed away on Monday, March 30th. The foundation of her family, she leaves her seven children with an abundance of gratitude for the selfless love she showed them throughout her life.

Born in Lowell, Massachusetts on April 6, 1928 to John and Elizabeth (Powers) Leahy, she attended Lowell schools before graduating from St. Joseph Hospital School of Nursing in 1951. Marilyn enjoyed her time as an R.N., working in the O.R. and especially loved working in the Delivery Ward.

Marilyn left her medical life behind when she married her love Peter F. Gill. Together they started a beautiful life full of family, friends and laughter. She truly found her calling as a mother and was most happy when her children were happy.

She now joins her beloved Peter and leaves her children Mary Geoffroy, Patti Sepe and her husband Matt, Kathleen Leahy Gill, Charlie Gill, Kerryann Gill, Robbie Barnes and her husband Bucky, Tracy Reilly and her husband Peter; 10 grandchildren: Gina Martel and her husband Billy, Christopher Gill, Michael Geoffroy, Peter Sepe, Bridget and Garrett Barnes, Carly Gill, Owen, Conor and Norah Reilly; her great granddaughter Claire Martel. Marilyn is also survived by her sister and brother-in-law Joan and Al Lenzi; her sisters-in-law Louise Gill and Martha Leahy as well as her many nieces, nephews and dear friends.

Marilyn was predeceased by her son-in-law, Joey Geoffroy; her siblings and their spouses Betty and Bill Nangle, Elinor and Jim O’Connor, John Leahy and Dan and Gloria Leahy; her in-laws Owen and Ginny Gill, Dick Gill and Sr. Marie Gill.

Due to current circumstances, burial will be private. A Funeral Mass and a celebration of Marilyn’s life will be announced at a later date. E-condolences may be made at www.odonnellfuneralhome.com. Memorial donations may be made in Marilyn’s name to Mustard Seed Communities, USA, 29 Janes Ave., Medfield, MA 02052; Monastery of St. Clare, 445 River Rd., Andover, MA 01810, or St. Jude.org. Arrangements by the O’DONNELL FUNERAL HOME – LOWELL – (978) 458-8768.

Beatrice (Vlahakis) Belkakis

Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and cousin

 Beatrice (Vlahakis) Belkakis, 95, of Lowell and a resident of Chelmsford for 63 years, died Tuesday, March 17th at the Saab Residence at D’Youville Senior Care in Lowell where she happily spent the last 3 years of her life. She was the beloved wife of the late Dr. Steven E. C. Belkakis, DMD who died November 30, 1998.
 Born in Lowell, Massachusetts, November 6, 1924, a daughter of the late George and the late Helen (Aggelakos) Vlahakis, she attended Lowell schools and was a graduate of Lowell High School. Eager to further her education, she then went on to graduate from Boston University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in education.
 She was a lifelong member of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Lowell where she was also a member of the Philoptochos Society and Daughters of Penelope.
 Before retiring, Beatrice was employed as teacher at the Hellenic American School in Lowell.
 Among her many activities, she loved to cook, especially Greek dishes and entertain family and friends with her husband Steven. She travelled the world with Steven and spent many special summers at Seabrook Beach. She was a member of the Chelmsford Garden Club, the Whistler House Museum and the College Club of Greater Lowell.
 Beatrice is survived by a son Thomas C. Belkakis and his wife Donna of Hollis, NH; a granddaughter Natalie Denyse and her husband Jordan of Charlestown, MA; a step-grandson Karlton A. Holmes and his husband Eric of Surry, ME; a brother Constantine “Dino” Vlahakis of Lebanon, NH; a niece Katherine Vlahakis and her wife Tricia of New York; a 2nd cousin Debbie Detora of Chelmsford, MA; Beatrice was also blessed to have a close friend and companion in Barbara Christopher who helped her along in her later years.
 She was also mother of the late Maxine Guillemette and sister of the late Anne V. Antippas.

BELKAKIS – In accordance with Federal, State and Local authorities surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak, there were no calling hours and Funeral Services were held privately for her family. Burial took place at Westlawn Cemetery in Lowell. A Celebration of Life ceremony for Beatrice will be held at a later date yet to be determined. E-condolences at www.odonnellfuneralhome.com. Those wishing may make contributions in her memory to the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 62 Lewis St, Lowell, MA 01854. Arrangements by the O’DONNELL FUNERAL HOME, Lowell, Ma. (978) 458-8768. 

John J. Noreau, Jr.

Loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle

 John J. Noreau, Jr., 86, of Lowell, died Thursday, March 19th at his home with his loving family by his side. He was the beloved husband of Patricia H. (Gleason) Noreau who survives him and with whom he would have celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary on March 30, 2020.
 Born in Somerville, Massachusetts, January 24, 1934, the son of the late John J. and the late Helen M. (Nagle) Noreau, he was a graduate of Sacred Heart High School in Cambridge, MA. He then went on to attend Suffolk University in Boston.
 A veteran during the Viet Nam Conflict, John proudly served his country in the U.S. Army.
 Before retiring, John was a small business owner of a computer company known as Wentworth House in Lowell.
 Among his many activities, he loved fly fishing and enjoyed golfing, woodworking and vegetable gardening. He was also an avid New England Patriots fan. His greatest joy however, was the quality time he was able to spend with his family.
 In addition to his wife Pat, John is survived by two daughters Allison G. Lamey and her husband Ryan of Lowell and Kathleen N. Noreau and her husband Curt Bouril of NY; a step-daughter Marjorie Wallace of Hawaii; four grandchildren Finlay, Padraic and William Lamey and Timothy Bouril; four step-grandchildren Harrison, Ethan, Whittaker and Phoebe Wallace; a sister Carol Bottary of Halifax, MA; a sister-in-law Molly Sheehy of Lowell; a brother-in-law Michael Gleason and his wife Donna of Sanford, ME; and several nieces and nephews.
 In accordance with Federal, State and Local authorities surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak, all services will be held privately for his family. E-condolences at www.odonnellfuneralhome.com. Those wishing may make contributions in his memory to the Lowell General Hospital Cancer Center, c/o Philanthropy Office, 295 Varnum Ave, Lowell, MA 01854. Arrangements by the O’DONNELL FUNERAL HOME (978) 458-8768.