Lillian S. (Ghareeb) Panagopoulos
Beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and friend;

Lillian S. (Ghareeb) Panagopoulos, of Dracut, passed away on Monday June 10, 2024, surrounded by her loving family.

She was predeceased by her loving husband of 57 years, Paul Panagopoulos, Sr., who passed away in 2018.

Born in Salem, MA on August 11, 1933, the daughter of the late Joseph and the late Elizabeth (William) Ghareeb, she was a member of St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, Lowell. Lil attended Lowell Schools and was a graduate of Lowell High School.

Lillian's world revolved around her family. For many years she loved hosting family celebrations, holidays, and gatherings, including the ever-popular Wednesday night spaghetti supper. Her never-ending love for her family was evident in all that she did.  

Always remembered for her quick wit and beautiful beaming smile, Lil’s caring nature and words of wisdom will forever live on in those who knew her.

She enjoyed summer vacations at Hampton Beach and loved travelling overseas, particularly to Greece and Italy. Recently Lil enjoyed new friendships and activities during her daily visits to the Chelmsford Senior Center.  

Lillian worked as a Secretary at Bay State Furniture (her family-owned business), as well as for Raytheon Corporation in Lowell. She also worked as a Tax Examiner for the Internal Revenue Service in Andover. Later, she worked as an Administrative Assistant at the University of Massachusetts, Lowell, College of Management, until her retirement in 1996.

She is survived by her 3 children, Martha Stewart of Dracut, Lisa Panagopoulos of Florida, and Paul Panagopoulos Jr. and his wife, Christine of Lowell; her 8 grandchildren, April Beyeler and her husband Ben, Sara Stewart and her partner Jonathan Barron, Andrew Verras, Kristina Hannon and her husband Bryan, Paul Verras, Steven Verras, Lily Panagopoulos, and Nicholas Panagopoulos; her 3 great-grandchildren, Sophia Stewart, Nico Barron, and Atlas Beyeler; her 3 sisters Beverly Ghareeb, Gwendolyn Noonan, and Gale Nikolopoulos and her husband George; her 2 Godchildren, Susan McArthur and Sandra Tgibides; former son-in-law, Alexander Verras, many nieces, nephews,  in-laws, and friends.

The family wishes to thank Lillian's caregiving team who loved and cared for her in her time of need: Denise, Shafic, Jane, Chrisine, Maggie, and Jenn.

Relatives and friends may attend her calling hours on Thursday morning June 13, 2024, at ST. GEORGE ANTIOCHIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH 66 Bowers St. in Lowell, MA from 9:30 to 11:00 A.M. Her Funeral Services will follow in the Church at 11 o’clock. Lil’s burial will be at the Westlawn Cemetery. E-condolences/directions at www.odonnellfuneralhome.com. Those wishing may make contributions in her 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.

William C. Lesniak, Sr.
Beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, brother-in-law, and uncle.

William C. Lesniak, Sr., 82, of Lowell, Massachusetts, passed away on Friday, June 7, 2024, at Northwood Rehabilitation & Health Care Center in Lowell, MA.

He was the beloved husband of the late Cheryl L. (Crocker) Lesniak, who predeceased him on September 5, 2012.

Born in Lowell, MA, March 12, 1942, the son of the late John and the late Madeline (Durfee) Lesniak, he attended Lowell Schools and was a graduate of Lowell High School.

Prior to his retirement, William worked as a Foreman for the Local 429 Laborers Union.

Amongst his many interests, William enjoyed going to antique car shows with his best friend and watching wrestling.

William is survived by two sons: William C. Lesniak, Jr. and his wife Laura of Lowell, MA, Jeffrey A. Lesniak and his wife Kerry of Lowell, MA; a daughter Kathleen Smart and her husband Robert of Lowell, MA; nine grandchildren Kristin McKay and husband Justin, Michelle Whittemore and husband Shane, Erin Lesniak, Christopher Smart and wife Guisel, Jennifer Smart and fiancé Matthew, Brandon Smart and fiancée Cheyenne, and Sean, Matthew, and Meghan Lesniak; ten great-grandchildren Colin, Emily, Madison, Alexander, Colton, Bentley, Olivia, Audrey, Jack, and Abigail; two brothers Henry “Mickey” Lesniak and his wife Linda of Dracut, MA, Mark Lesniak and his wife Jeanne of Dracut, MA; a sister-in-law Barbara Lesniak of Pelham, NH; he is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

He was the brother of the late John Lesniak, Sr., and the late Joan Auger.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend his Funeral Mass on Wednesday June 12, 2024, at the IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH in Lowell, MA, at 12:00 NOON. Burial to follow at St. Mary Cemetery. E-condolences at www.odonnellfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, www.alz.org. Arrangements are by the O’DONNELL FUNERAL HOME, 276 PAWTUCKET ST. LOWELL, Funeral Director James F. O’Donnell, Jr. (978) 458-8768.

Otilia Z. Castro

Otilia Z Castro, 90, of Lowell, Massachusetts passed away on Friday, May 24, 2024, surrounded by loved ones.

She was one of nine children born to the late Adolpho Castro and Carmen Zapata on September 14, 1933, in La Ceja, Colombia.

Affectionately called “Chilly” by all those who knew and loved her, she came to Lowell, Massachusetts in 1965 with her son Orlando (Vespin) Castro. A brave and determined mother who wanted her son to have a better education, she moved to the United States to work for a family she had never met.  For 56 years, Chilly cared for the home and children of Nancy and Richard Donahue, loving their children as if they were her own.  She cherished their son Philip Donahue most dearly, making sure that he had all his favorite foods and especially French toast on Saturdays.

Chilly enjoyed tending a large vegetable garden in the summers, usually splitting half the harvest with the local woodchucks and rabbits. She worked magic on indoor plants as well, regularly reviving the failing plants given to her care, and returning a thriving version to its amazed owner.

She was a fantastic travel companion and enjoyed trips to Germany, England, Ireland and the Grand Canyon, including a 75th birthday trip to Italy with Alicia Donahue and sister Nancy.  A big fan of music, she had a large CD collection. She saw Tina Turner and stood for an entire Rolling Stones show.

When her memory started to fade, she moved to assisted living where her adventuresome spirit led to new passions of painting and crafting.  Under the careful watch of Michelle Jimeno, Chilly learned to swim. Two weeks before her death, Michelle took her kayaking for the first time.  She was loved by Magda Siotis who brought Chilly a coffee every morning to start the day in her favorite way. Her family thanks the community at the Atrium of Drum Hill for the care and companionship she received.

She will be dearly missed by all who know her.  She is survived by her son Vespin (Debra Saxe) of Winter Haven, FL.  She is also survived by Donahue family members Nancy L. of Lowell, Abigail (Scott) Morris of Kirkland, WA, Timothy (Jenni) of Parkland, OR, Michael (Beth) of Lowell, Nancy C. of NY, Richard (Rosita) of Portsmouth, NH, Daniel of Lowell, Stephen (Meg McGovern) of Burlington VT, Christopher of Vero Beach, FL, Tara Gabriel (Jorge) of Tyngsboro, MA, Philip of Lowell and Alicia of Dunstable, MA.  She had sixteen Donahue grandchildren and two great grandchildren who called her Gramma Chilly.  She is also survived by her siblings in Colombia: Marta, Amanda and Pacho Castro.
Chilly anticipated a joyful reunion with those who preceded her in death, her parents, sister Mela, and brothers Jose, Jesus, Gustavo, Ramon, and Juan Antonio.

Family and friends are invited to her Memorial Funeral Mass to be held on Saturday, June 8, 2024, at 10 o’clock in the morning at St. Patrick’s Church 282 Suffolk Street, Lowell, MA. E-condolences/directions at www.odonnellfuneralhome.com. If you would like to contribute in her honor, Chilly loved RARA 295 High Street, Lowell, MA and Mill City Grows 650 Suffolk St g10, Lowell, MA. Arrangements are by the O’DONNELL FUNERAL HOME, 276 PAWTUCKET ST. LOWELL - MA - (978) 458-8768.

Cynthia M. “Cindy” (Harris) Foye

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

Cynthia M. (Harris) Foye, 82, of Chelmsford, Massachusetts, passed away on Monday May 27, 2024, at Lowell General Main Campus after a brief illness.

She was the beloved wife of close to 60 years of James T. Foye, Sr. of Chelmsford, MA, who survives her.

Born in Lowell, MA, on January 6, 1942, the daughter of the late Everett “Bucky” and the late Florence (Gendron) Harris, she attended Sacred Heart Grammar School and was a graduate of Keith Hall class of 1957. She went on to graduate from Lowell State Teacher’s College (nka U/MASS Lowell) with a degree in Education,

Prior to her retirement, Cindy was a School Teacher at Lowell High School, teaching ESL – English as a second language for over 20 years. Previously, she taught at Sacred Heart Grammar School and in the Dracut, MA school system.

Amongst her several interests, she was an avid reader, enjoyed reading to and teaching others, taking trips to Mohegan Sun, playing bingo, and shopping. She loved being around her family, especially her grandchildren.

Besides her husband, Cindy is survived by a daughter: Donna M. Prato and her husband Armando of Westford, MA; two sons James T. Foye, Jr. and his wife Michelle of Huntersville, North Carolina, and Sean M. Foye of Merrimack, NH; four grandchildren Brian Prato, Shane Foye, Christina Prato, and Adam Prato; a sister Linda Reilly of Lowell, MA; she is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

She was the sister of the late David Harris and the sister-in-law of the late James B. Reilly.

The family would like to thank the staff at Sunny Acres Nursing Home in Chelmsford, MA for the dedicated and compassionate care she received over the last few years as well as the intermediate and hospice care nurses and doctors at Lowell General Hospital.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her funeral Mass to be celebrated on Tuesday June 4, 2024, at ST. MARY’S CHURCH 25 North Road in Chelmsford, MA, at 11:00 A.M., followed by her burial at St. Patrick Cemetery in Lowell. E-condolences/directions at www.odonnellfuneralhome.com. Those wishing may make contributions in her memory to the America Parkinson Disease Association, Massachusetts Chapter, 85 East Concord St. Boston, MA, 02118. Arrangements by Funeral Director James F. O’Donnell, Jr. (978) 458-8768.