Roberta J. “Bobbie” Maniatis

A member of a well-known Greater Lowell family;

Roberta J. “Bobbie” (Krowchun) (Valcanas) Maniatis, 68, of Dracut, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on Wednesday December 8, 2021 at Lowell General Hospital after a brief illness.

Bobbie married the love of her life on August 3, 1985 and enjoyed every moment of her life with Robert J. “Bob” Maniatis, who survives her.

Born November 7, 1953, in Chester, Pennsylvania, the daughter of the late Alexander J. and the late Elizabeth (O’Neil) (Krowchun) Price, she attended Dracut schools and was a graduate of Dracut High School Class of 1971. Bobbie recently served on her 50th Class Reunion Committee and the event was very successful.

For most of Bobbie’s career, she was in the newspaper industry as an Account Executive at both the Lowell Sun and Nashua Telegraph developing new and maintaining current customers through various multi-media avenues.

In 2015, she decided to take a new path and joined the team at the Merrimack Valley Food Bank as Accounts Administrator. During this time, she developed professional relationships with three other Massachusetts Food Banks and with State and U.S.D.A. contacts. Bobbie especially enjoyed the camaraderie of the staff, volunteers, vendors, donors and member agencies all sharing the common goal of helping others.

Bobbie and her husband, Bob, were deeply involved for over 25 years with the Good Friends organization holding fundraisers to finance Christmas parties for needy children and to provide food and gift baskets to their families. She was also on the Board of the Dracut Food Pantry.

Among her many interests, Bobbie loved working in her yard but most cherished spending time with her family and friends, especially during the Christmas Holidays. In addition, some of her favorite times were spent with her husband and close friends in Clearwater Beach, Florida and with relatives and friends at Lovell Lake in NH, where they spent the first part of their honeymoon.

Besides her husband, Bobbie is survived by a daughter Jaime Valcanas and her partner Judson “JB” Bell of Salem, NH, her stepson Christopher Maniatis of Lowell, two sisters Maureen Chester and her husband Andrew of Pelham, NH and Paula Good and her husband Jimmy of Pelham, NH; her mother-in-law Virginia “Ginger” Maniatis of Lowell; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Relatives and friends may call for her Memorial Visitation at the O’DONNELL FUNERAL HOME 276 PAWTUCKET ST. in LOWELL from 11 to 1:00 P.M. on Thursday December 16, 2021, followed by her Funeral Service in the Funeral Home at 1 o’clock. (The family has requested anyone attending Bobbie’s wake/service to please wear a mask upon entrance into the Funeral Home.) E-condolences/directions at www.odonnellfuneralhome.com. Those wishing may make contributions in her memory to the Merrimack Valley Food Bank, 735 Broadway St., Lowell, MA 01854 or the Dracut Food Pantry, 1934 Lakeview Ave. # 11, Dracut, MA 01826. Arrangements by Funeral Director James F. O’Donnell, Jr. (978) 458-8768.

Johanna T. "Jody" O'Hearn

Beloved mother, grandmother, sister and friend;

Johanna T. "Jody" (Tighe) O'Hearn, 70, a resident of the Belvidere section of Lowell, passed away peacefully at her home on Monday December 6, 2021, surrounded by her loving family.

She was the beloved wife for over 49 years to Peter T. O'Hearn, who survives her.

Born in Lowell, Massachusetts, May 20, 1951, the daughter of the late Dr. Thomas J.G. Tighe and the late Barbara (Buckland) Tighe, she was a graduate of the former Rogers Hall in Lowell Class of 1969. Jody went on to graduate in 1973 from Lowell State Teacher's College (nka U/Mass Lowell) with a Bachelor of Arts in Education. Later, she received her Master's in Education from Cambridge College.

Prior to her retirement after a long and dedicated career in public education, Jody was a library media specialist at Lowell High School and later at the Tenney school in the Methuen school system. She began her career as an X-ray technician at St. John's Hospital in Lowell (nka LGH - Saints Campus).

Among her many interests, Jody was an accomplished skier and shared her love of skiing by serving as the Varsity Ski Coach at Lowell High School for several years and as a 25 years member of the National Ski Patrol in Quechee Vermont. In addition, she was a professional riding instructor and exhibitor of horses at the Whippoorwill Farm in North Andover.

However, Jody's greatest love was her family, especially her children and grandchildren. She, with her husband Peter, chose interests and activities that were family oriented. Over the years, they created many great family memories at their home in Quechee, Vermont.

Besides her husband, Jody is survived by four sons Shaun O'Hearn and his wife Kristie Langone of Wilmington, MA, James O'Hearn and his wife Amanda of Lowell, MA, Patrick O'Hearn and his wife Erin of Charlestown, MA, Thomas O'Hearn of Lowell, MA; two daughters Molika O'Hearn of Lowell, MA and Linna O'Hearn and her partner John Londono of Woburn; seven grandchildren Jack and Nora O'Hearn of Wilmington, MA Madison and Payton O'Hearn of Lowell, MA Brendan and Colleen O'Hearn of Charlestown, MA and Mason Londono of Woburn; her brother Thomas Tighe and his wife Lina of Towson, MD; her brother-in-law John O'Hearn and his wife Veronica of Knoxville, TN;  a sister in-law Marion O’Hearn of Lowell MA; and many nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her visitation on Monday morning December 13, 2021, at the IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH, 144 East Merrimack St. in Lowell from 9 to 10:45 A.M. followed by her Funeral Mass in church at 11 o'clock. Private Committal Services will be held for the family at a later date. E-condolences/directions at www.odonnellfuneralhome.com. Those wishing may make contributions in her memory to the Immaculate Conception Restoration Fund, 144 East Merrimack St, Lowell, MA 01852 or Dana Farber Cancer Institute, 44 Binney St., Boston, MA. Arrangements by the O'DONNELL FUNERAL HOME - LOWELL - MA (978) 458-8768.

John R. Perin, Jr.

Beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend;

John R. Perin, Jr. 69, of Billerica, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on Wednesday November 24, 2021, at Palm Center in Chelmsford, Massachusetts.

He was the loving husband of Manuela S. (DaCunha) Perin, who survives him.

Born in Arlington, Massachusetts, December 15, 1951, the son of the late John R. and the late Fanny (Simmons) Perin, he attended the Burlington schools and was a graduate of Burlington High School.

Prior to his retirement, John worked as a mechanic. He enjoyed the outdoors and loved to fish with his children and grandchildren.

Besides his wife, he is survived by a daughter Sherry L. Buckland and her husband Steven of Billerica, MA; a son John R. Perin, III and his wife Ann-Marie of Pelham, New Hampshire; nine grandchildren Joey Bertini, Miranda, Brad, Zach, Steven Jr., Heather, Jackson, CJ Buckland, and Jack Perin; two sisters Laurie Perin and Carla Purdy; two brothers; David Perin and Tim Perin; along with many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends; and his loving dog, Kasa Lee.

John was also the brother of the late Jane Giglio.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend his Committal Services to be held on Monday December 13, 2021, at the Pine Grove Cemetery, 14 Pepperell Rd,  Brookline, NH at 11 o’clock. E-condolences at www.odonnellfuneralhome.com. Those    wishing may make contributions in his memory to https://lcfamerica.org/. Arrangements by the O'DONNELL FUNERAL HOME - LOWELL – MA - (978) 458-8768.

Virginia Huard

Well known and respected champion of the developmentally disabled;

Virginia (Marcotte) Huard, 88 years old, died peacefully with her loving family at her side on October 26, 2021, in Florida.

She was the beloved wife of the late Joseph R. Huard, who passed away in 1999, having been married for 43 years.

Born in Lowell, Massachusetts, she was the daughter of the late Irene McGuigan) Marcotte and Albert J. Marcotte.

Virginia was a graduate of St. Patrick's Grammar and High School and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing (Cum Laude) from Boston College in 1954.

She started her nursing career with the Boston Visiting Nurse Association and after marriage with the Lowell Visiting Nurse Association.

While raising her family, she became actively involved with the needs of the developmentally disabled in the Greater Lowell community. Starting a new career, she went on to become President and then Executive Director of the Greater Lowell Association for Retarded Citizens, a United Fund agency now known as LifeLinks.

Virginia also worked with the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health and during her tenure many new programs were initiated including respite care, the first two community residences in Lowell and Chelmsford, and day activity programs for clients.  She was also a participant in the beginnings of Camp Paul, Camp Grotonwood and in welcoming and participating in the new Special Olympics program to Lowell.

Following her retirement, she returned to her first love of public health nursing as a supervisor at the Lowell Visiting Nurses Association. Upon her family's move to Delray Beach, FL, she became first a volunteer and then an area nurse with Hospice by the Sea in Boca Raton, FL.

A communicant of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Lowell, she later attended the Ascension Catholic Church in Boca Raton, FL.

Her continued interest in the developmentally challenged led her to establish the Foundation for Independent Living, in Coconut Creek, FL, and served as the Secretary of the first Board of Directors. The program established 35 years ago, now provides residential services to over 60 residents from across the Country.

Virginia is survived by her four children: Joseph R. Huard, Jr. and his wife Catherine A. (Pugh) Huard of Lake Worth, FL, Judith A. (Huard) Kodish and her husband, Richard Kodish of Coconut Creek, FL, Joyce M. (Huard) McEnerney and her husband, Michael McEnerney of Pompano Beach, FL, and John P. Huard and his wife, Pamela (Forgays) Huard of Camden, ME.

She is survived by three grandchildren: Joseph R. Huard, III and his wife Megan, Jacqueline McEnerney, and Olivia Huard.

She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Vivianne Marcotte, and nephews Richard, Phillip, Peter and David Marcotte and nieces Roberta Marcotte and Paula Molloy.  She was predeceased by her brothers Albert and Robert Marcotte, and daughter Joann Huard.

Relatives and friends may attend her Memorial Funeral Mass at ST. PATRICK CHURCH in LOWELL Friday morning December 10, 2021, 10 o'clock followed by her Committal Services St. Joseph Cemetery in Chelmsford, MA. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the O'DONNELL FUNERAL HOME - LOWELL – MA. (978) 458-8768.