Gertrude L. Webster

Loving mother, grandmother and sister

Gertrude L. (Saucier) Webster, age 97, of North Chelmsford, Massachusetts, but formerly of Lowell passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 14th at her home with her loving family by her side. She was the beloved wife of the late Robert P. Webster who died in 2006. Born in Lowell, Massachusetts, January 8, 1924, a daughter of the late Joseph Saucier and the late Agnes (Campbell) Saucier, she attended Lowell schools and was a graduate of Lowell High School Class of 1942.

Among her many interests, Gertrude loved skiing, spending her summers at Kennebunkport, ME, Saturday afternoons shopping with her daughters and extensively traveling with her husband throughout the USA and to the Caribbean Islands and Europe.

Gertrude was a generous person to a fault who shared unselfishly with her family and friends. She was always complimented for her classical style of dressing. However, her first love was unquestionably her family to whom she was tremendously devoted.

Gertrude is survived by her daughter Martha A. Nawn of Chelmsford; two sons Frederick L. Webster and his wife Theresa of Tyngsboro and Stephen Webster and his wife Michelle of Windham, NH; five grandchildren Taylor Webster, Kyle Webster, Curtis Webster, Freddy Webster and Lauren Webster; a sister Jean Purely and her husband George of Lowell and several nieces and nephews.

She was also the mother of the late Robert P. Webster, Jr. who died in 1970 and the late Karen Webster who died in 1989 and grandmother of the late Casey Webster who died in 2015.

We are truly grateful for the assistance of mom’s caregiver Beatrice Zorokong.

Due to the current pandemic, services were held privately for her family and burial took place at Mary’s Cemetery in North Tewksbury. E-condolences at www.odonnellfuneralhome.com. Those wishing may make contributions in her memory to the American Diabetes Association, 260 Cochituate Road, Suite 200, Framingham, MA 01701. Arrangements by the O’DONNELL FUNERAL HOME – LOWELL-MA (978) 458-8768.

Lena Shanahan

of Lowell, “Forever 39”

Pauline P. “Lena” (Fortuna) Shanahan, of Lowell, died Sunday, February 14th at Lowell General Hospital with her loving family by her side. She was the beloved wife of the late Daniel J. Shanahan who died in 1976.

Born in Lowell, Massachusetts, a daughter of the late Blazej J. and the late Katarzyna B. (Bugiel) Fortuna, she received her education in the Lowell school system.

Lena was employed at Honeywell Corporation in both locations Brighton, MA and Lawrence, MA before retiring.

Among her many interests, she loved playing bingo at St. Patrick School where she could meet up with all her Acre friends and enjoyed traveling to Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut. To her hairdressers and nails girls, she was affectionately known as “the Queen.”

Lena has proven her love, devotion and strength to her family while facing tragedies in her life, especially to her late son John who was disabled at an early age and with whom she visited on a daily basis for over 32 years until his death.

Lena is survived by three daughters Patricia Shanahan of Lowell, Laura Rowe and her husband Earl of Hampton, NH and Maureen Aubrey and her husband Frank of Lowell; four grandchildren Katherine Samson and her husband Chris of Wolfeboro, NH, Sean Shanahan and his companion Melanie Staples of Tewksbury, MA, Daniel J. Shanahan IV and his wife Lisa of Lowell and George Shanahan and his wife Heather of Burlington, MA; many great-grandchildren; a sister Josephine Batista of Pelham, NH; two daughters-in-law Jean Shanahan of Wolfeboro, NH and Ann Shanahan of Dracut, MA; a sister-n-law Mary Fortuna of Lowell; and several nieces and nephews.

She was also mother of the late Daniel J. Shanahan III, Thomas M. Shanahan and John Patrick Shanahan, sister of the late Blanche Reynolds, Stella Wojcik, Adam Fortuna and Walter Fortuna and dear friend of the late John “Jack” Martin.

Friends may call at the O’DONNELL FUNERAL HOME 276 PAWTUCKET ST. in LOWELL from 2 to 4 pm Sunday. Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated Monday morning at ST. PATRICK CHURCH in Lowell at 11:00 am. (All state-required social distancing procedures will be observed, including the wearing of masks upon entrance into the Funeral Home and the Church). Burial in Holy Trinity Cemetery in Lowell. E-condolences can be left at www.odonnellfuneralhome.com. Arrangements by Funeral Director James F. O’Donnell, Jr. (978) 458-8768.

Fotene Vlahakis

Beloved sister-in-law, cousin, and friend

Fotene Vlahakis, 92, of Dracut, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 13th at her home.

Born in Dracut, Massachusetts, November 1, 1928, the daughter of the late Costas and the late Evanthia (Cakounes) Vlahakis, she attended Dracut schools and was a graduate of Dracut High School.

Fotene spent her entire working life in the payroll department of the General Electric Wire and Cable Plant in Lowell, retiring after forty years of dedicated service.

Known for her keen wit and storytelling ability, ‘Auntie Fo’ was a passionate reader and collector of unique objects, such as her assortment of Hummels. She enjoyed traveling throughout New England and U.S. destinations, including visiting New York City many times with her good friend, the late Helen Capelianis to see the popular Broadway shows of the time. Fotene was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and a lifelong parishioner of the Hellenic Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity in Lowell. She taught us to be patient, to work hard and to accept life’s challenges as part of the journey. She was a bright light in all of our lives.

Fotene is survived by her sister-in-law Nora (Sarantos) Vlahakis of Dracut; two nieces Evanthea Vlahakis and her partner Joanne Johnston of Dracut and MaryAnn (Vlahakis) Darvirris, who also was her godchild, and her husband Louis of Dracut who cared for her selflessly and lovingly in their home for the past three years; three grandnieces Nicole (Darvirris) Piper and her husband Jay of Belmont, MA, Pamela (Darvirris) Heidt and her husband Andrew of Cambridge, England and Nora Darvirris and her husband Brandon Czaja of Chicago, IL; two great-grand-nieces: Fontene and Oriabthi Piper. Fotene will be missed by many cousins and close friends.

She was also sister of her older brother, the late Nicholas C. Vlahakis, who died in 1985.

We are truly thankful for the assistance of Fotene’s caregivers Vicki and Maggie; also Nancy and her associates at Merrimack Valley Hospice.

Due to the current pandemic, services were held privately for her family and burial took place at Westlawn Cemetery in Lowell. E-condolences at www.odonnellfuneralhome.com. Those wishing may make contributions in Fotene’s memory to the Hellenic Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity, 62 Lewis St, Lowell, MA 01854. Arrangements by the O’DONNELL FUNERAL HOME – LOWELL-MA (978) 458-8768.

Marie Rose Griffin

Loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and aunt

Marie Rose (Rigoli) Griffin, 60, of Lowell, died Wednesday, February 10th at Lowell General Hospital following a brief illness. She was the beloved wife of James F. Holland III who survives her.

Born in Newton, Massachusetts, February 24, 1960, the daughter of the late Philip and the late Claire (Blue) Rigoli, she attended Newton schools and was a graduate of Newton North High School with Class of 1978.

Marie was employed as a Customer Service Representative with M. D. Weaver in Natick, MA. Previously, she worked in that same capacity at Waltham Pest Control in Burlington, MA.

Among her many activities, she enjoyed walking, all kinds of shopping, going to the beach and traveling, especially to Aruba. She also loved frequenting the Mohegan Sun in Connecticut. Her greatest joy however was being all about family. She absolutely cherished the quality time she would spend with her grandchildren. They were the light of her life as were her children. She was a wonderfully vibrant, kind and loving person.

In addition to her husband Jim, Marie is survived by a daughter Alyssa M. Griffin and her fiancé Ryan Ortiz of Lowell, MA; a son Alexander S. Griffin and his wife Alana of Lawrence, MA; four grandchildren Aaliyah, Alessandra, Korben and Jaxson; five brothers Robert Rigoli and his wife Barbara, Philip Rigoli and his wife Janet, James Rigoli and his wife Cheryl, Joseph Rigoli and his wife Ann and Donald Rigoli and his life partner Carol Cherry; and many nieces and nephews.

She was also sister of the late Peter Rigoli.

Marie was a bright light and will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

Due to gathering restrictions, all services will be held privately for her family. A Celebration of Marie’s Life will be held later in the spring when it is safe for family and friends to gather. E-condolences at www.odonnellfuneralhome.com. Those wishing may make contributions in her memory to the Lowell Humane Society, 951 Broadway Street, Lowell, MA 01854. Arrangements by the O’DONNELL FUNERAL HOME – LOWELL, MA – (978) 458-8768.