David M. Purtell

Beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend;

David M. Purtell, 71, a member of a widely known Lowell family, passed away on March 18, 2021 after a long courageous battle with cancer.

He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Linda (Richards) Purtell, also formerly from Lowell.

Born and raised in the Acre section of Lowell, he was the son of the late Thomas J. and the late Beverly M (Dyer) Purtell.

The Acre was where he made and maintained many lifelong friendships prior to moving to Dracut to raise his family. He attended St. Patrick’s grammar school and Lowell High School and was very active in Acre youth sports and later as a coach for many years with Dracut youth baseball.

Prior to his retirement, David worked as a laborer with Local 429 serving as the business manager for over 15 years.

Among his many interests he enjoyed spending summer months in York Maine.

Besides his wife, David is survived by his two sons David M. Purtell, Jr. and Daniel T. Purtell and his wife Katie all of Dracut; two grandsons Joseph and Nathan Purtell of Dracut; three sisters, Debra S. McCormick of Lowell, Barbara Purtell and her spouse Priscille of Dracut and Judith Sylvester and her husband Dewey of Pelham, NH; two brothers Wayne and Frederick J Purtell; and many nieces and nephews. David also leaves behind his special friends Stella and Bob McAuliffe.

He was also the brother of the late Thomas J. Purtell Jr. and the late Kevin Purtell.

Per his request there will be no calling hours and all services will be private. E-condolences at www.odonnellfuneralhome.com. Those wishing may make contributions in his memory to the PSC Partners.org (Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis). Arrangements by the O’DONNELL FUNERAL HOME – LOWELL – MA (978) 458-8768.

James G. Spanos, Sr.

Beloved father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle and in-law;

James G. Spanos, Sr., 89, of Dracut, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Monday March 15, 2021.

He was the loving husband of the late Theresa (Gauthier) Spanos who died January 17, 2018.

Born in Lowell, Massachusetts, October 11, 1931, the son of the late George and the late Veneta (Sperounis) Spanos, he attended Lowell schools and was a graduate of Lowell High School with the Class of 1949.

A decorated veteran of the Korean Conflict, Jim proudly served his country as a Sergeant First Class in the U.S. Army. Among his several medals and honors, he was awarded two Bronze Stars.

Prior to his retirement, he worked in Internal Communications with the Raytheon Corporation. Previously, he was a foreman with the former Concord Foundry in Concord, MA with 30 years of service.

An avid Patriots fan, Jim enjoyed playing golf, softball and attending all his grandchildren’s sports and activities. However, his greatest joy was just being with his family, whom he deeply loved and they him.

Jim is survived by three children James G. Spanos, Jr. and his wife Deena of Milford, NH, Debra Ludwig and her husband Robert of Dracut and Linda Entwistle and her husband Scott of Lowell; six grandchildren Tiffany Collins and her husband Joe, Billy Spanos and his wife Lindsey, Robert Ludwig, Michael Ludwig and his wife Kristen, David Entwistle and Lindsay Entwistle; five great grandchildren Jake, Laney, Harper, Braxton and Alexander; his dear brother Charles G. Spanos of Hudson, NH; his in-laws Rita Miele and her husband Ralph, Germaine Woodman and her husband Ray, Constance Gauthier and her partner Rita Toppi, Diane Daigle and her husband Ron, Dolores Kaplan and her husband Dennis, Elizabeth Quintal, Hector Gauthier and his wife Rhonda and Jacqueline Gauthier; and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

He was also the brother of the late Louis Spanos, John Spanos, Irene Wojcik, Anna Desrosiers, Dorothy Spanos and Andrew Spanos.

Friends may call at the O’DONNELL FUNERAL HOME 276 PAWTUCKET ST. in Lowell from 2 to 5 P.M. Sunday March 21, 2021. (All state required social distancing procedures will be observed including the wearing of masks upon entrance into the funeral home.) Due to gathering concerns, the Funeral and Burial Services will be held privately for the family. E-condolences at www.odonnellfuneralhome.com. Those wishing may make contributions in his memory to the American Heart Assn. P.O. Box 417005, Boston, MA 02241. Arrangements by Funeral Director James F. O’Donnell, Jr. (978) 458-8768.

Margaret L “Maggie” Martin

Beloved mother, sister-in-law, aunt and friend

Margaret L. “Maggie” Martin, 80, of Lowell died Tuesday, March 2 at Lowell General Hospital. She was the beloved wife of 48 years to Lawrence R. “Larry” Martin who passed away in 2015.

Born in Lawrence, Massachusetts, February 24, 1941, She was the daughter of the late Henry and the late Helen (O’Flaherty) Brennan. She was an only child.

Maggie attended the Academy of Notre Dame in Tyngsboro where she was known for getting kicked out of Glee Club with her friend Ann Marie Hurley. She completed her bachelors degree in Psychology at Marrymount College and later went on to receive her MBA from Lesley University.

Maggie devoted most of her professional career to the research and treatment of cancer. She held many positions throughout the years including Biostatistician at Faulkner Hospital and Director of the Cancer Treatment Centers at Wentworth Douglass Hospital and Saints Memorial Hospital. She maintained her certification as a Tumor Registrar throughout her life and enjoyed getting calls for job offers for this coveted skill even in her 70s.

After her so-called retirement, Maggie took a part-time role working for D’Youville Senior Care doing public relations and events. She brought her signature dedication to this role as well. She continued this work as a volunteer and had just completed planning their latest public access television show when she passed.

Although Maggie came from a small family herself, she embraced the Martin/Sayer clan with open arms. She started the tradition of hosting the entire family for Thanksgiving dinner (40+ people) and loved nothing more than having a house full of family and a table full of food. Maggie was known for her amazing chocolate chip cookies that no one else in the family has been able to replicate. She was also an avid dog lover and her chocolate lab, Ashley was her favorite companion.

Maggie is survived by two daughters Connie Martin and Leslie Martin and her husband Matthew Fleming all of Lowell; a sister-in-law Mary Sayer of Lowell; and a sister-in-law Ruth Martin of Hudson, NH. She was a favorite aunt to her many nieces and nephews. She will also be mourned by the Hurley/Waddell family and most especially by Ann Marie Hurley, her lifelong friend.

The family held a private ceremony on Tuesday, March 9th. E-condolences at www.odonnellfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Maggie’s name to D’Youville Senior Care, 981 Varnum Ave., Lowell, MA 01854. Arrangements by the O'DONNELL FUNERAL HOME - LOWELL - MA (978) 458-8768.

Pauline G. Cushing

Beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and friend;

Pauline G. (O’Brien) Cushing, 98, of Chelmsford, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Monday March 1, 2021 at the Palm Center in Chelmsford, MA.

Pauline was the wife of the late Gerald T. Cushing, Sr. who died in 1973.

Born in Billerica, Massachusetts, July 2, 1922, the daughter of the late James E. and the late Gertrude (LeLacheur) O’Brien, she attended Billerica schools and was a graduate of Howe High School. Class of 1941.

Prior to her retirement, Pauline was the secretary to the Sitting Judges at the Lowell District Court for over 25 years. Previously, she was with the law firm Donahue and Donahue.

Among her many interests, Pauline loved to travel, play golf, play cards and was a talented seamstress and an avid pizza maker. A former member of Mt. Pleasant Golf Club, she was active at St. Margaret of Scotland Parish, the Blessed Virgin Sodality and Keith Hall.

She is survived by two daughters Sharon L. Cushing of Watertown and Patricia A. Davidson and her husband John of Lowell; two sons Gerald Timothy Cushing, Jr, and his wife Martha Shadan of Westboro and Michael J. Cushing and his wife Jay Rushel of Lowell; six grandchildren Rachel J. Cushing of Los Angelos, CA, Sarah J. Sheehan and her husband Daniel of Wilmington, Steven C. Davidson and his wife Ashley of Lowell, Andrew C. Davidson of Lowell, Dr. Tucker J. Cushing of Houston, TX and Sydney E. Cushing of Southie; three great grandchildren Jeremy J. Sheehan, Welles P. Davidson and Luke C. Davidson;  a brother Daniel O’Brien  of North Billerica; many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews and cousins.

She was the longtime devoted companion of Paul Holmes, who survives her.

She was also predeceased by her siblings James E. O’Brien, Kathleen Connors, Dorothy Meyers, Rita Burgess and Faith Collinge and her son-in-law Stephen T. Barry (Sharon’s husband).

Pauline’s family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to the staff of Palm Center and Compassus Hospice for their care of Pauline especially during the past year under the extra difficult times.  Their care and compassion will always be remembered and appreciated.

Due to gathering restrictions, all Funeral Services were held privately for the family including a Mass at St. Margaret of Scotland Church and burial in St. Patrick Cemetery. E-condolences at www.odonnellfuneralhome.com. Those wishing may make contributions in her memory to the Lowell Association for the Blind, 169 Merrimack St., Lowell, MA 01851. Arrangements by the O’DONNELL FUNERAL HOME – LOWELL – MA (978) 458-8768.