Shirley Helen (Lambert) Jones

Loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend;

Shirley Helen (Lambert) Jones of Billerica, formerly of Lowell, died Saturday, April 11, 2020, after a short illness.  She was born on September 25, 1946, in Lowell Mass., a daughter of the late Rita E. (Rivard) Lambert and the late Joseph R. Lambert.  She was raised in Lowell  attended St. Patrick Grammar School and was a graduate of Keith Hall with Class of 1964.

She was the beloved mother of Shaun Jones of Nashua, NH, Melissa Sauls and her husband Wade of Northwood, NH, Kimberly Jones of Tyngsboro, MA, and Rebecca Manisy and her husband Staff Sgt. Richard Manisy of Ft. Wainwright, Alaska, as well as a bonus daughter, Joanna Llera of Dracut, Mass.  Shirley not only raised her own children as a single mother in the Acre neighborhood she was also a second mom to many of the neighborhood children in the North Common Village, doling out her signature brand of tough love.  
A devoted grandmother to Meaghan, Molly and Connor Jones, Christina and Stephen MacLeod, Emily and Ryan Gauthier, Grant Sauls, and Aiden, Sophia, and Nora Manisy, her newest 2-week old granddaughter, each one of them held a special place in her heart.
Shirley never traveled beyond New England until her youngest daughter moved away.  She boarded an airplane for the first time at the age of 67, taking the first of many solo yearly trips to visit her daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren in Ft. Benning, Georgia, and Ft. Wainwright, Alaska.  Last summer, she visited Denali National Park with them.  Shirley enjoyed spending time with her family and attending her grandchildren’s sports games, recitals, and school events; she enjoyed the beach and the boardwalk, her weekly lunches with Judy, and was a lifelong reader of The Lowell Sun.

She is also survived by her sisters, Carol O’Neill of Manchester, NH, Mary Marshall and her husband Roland of Dracut, and Deborah Hoyt and her husband Gary of Epping, NH, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.  She was pre-deceased by her brother, Bruce K. Lambert, who died on January 25, 2020.

Just as her mother Rita was before her, Shirley was a caretaker her whole life, from neighborhood children, to neighbors stricken with illness, to the elderly as a home health aide.  At the time of her death, she worked as the on-call overnight attendant at the Billerica Housing Authority.  Her strength and her perseverance are her legacy.  Shirley also leaves many dear friends, including Hazel Lamarche who helped care for her in her final days.
As it is not possible to hold a funeral at this time, a celebration of her life will be held at a future date.  In her memory, please remember the caretakers. E-condolences at www.odonnellfuneralhome.com. Those wishing may make contributions in her memory to Girl’s Inc., 220 Worthen St., Lowell, MA 01852. Arrangements by O’DONNELL FUNERAL HOME – LOWELL – (978) 458-8768.

Sharon A. Dillon

Beloved, wife, mother, grandmother and friend.

Sharon A. (Thamer) Dillon 71, of Lowell, passed away peacefully on Friday March 27, 2020, with her family by her side.
She was the loving wife for over 53 years of the late Brian J. Dillon who passed October 14, 2019.

Born in Lowell, Massachusetts July 31, 1948 . A daughter of the late Louis T. Thamer and the late Edith (DiRocco) Thamer. She received her education in the Lowell School system. Sharon worked at the Chelmsford pharmacy and Alpine Butcher shop.

Sharon is survived by two daughters Kimberly Ahearn and her husband Brian of Nashua, NH and Linda M. Dillon and her partner Ed. McEachern of Chelmsford, MA.; and a loving granddaughter Amanda R. Dillon whom she cherished, and her grand-dog Buddy whom she  loved to give buddy steak bites and animal crackers .

An avid bingo player and she loved to go to the beach. Survived by two sisters Carol Mayrand and her husband Mike of Aquinnah, MA. Donna Standsfield of Saugus, MA.; and two brothers Thomas Thamer and his wife Amanda of Methuen, Ma., and Larry Lauziere and his wife Pam of Louisiana ; many nieces  and nephews;  Best Friends Elaine Lawlor, Louise McGardle, Gail and Mel Leeburg, Nancy and Jack Callery  and her godson Michael Kneeland.

At her request, all Funeral Services were held privately for the family. E-condolences at www.odonnellfuneralhome.com. Those wishing may make contributions in her memory to the charity of their choice. Arrangements by Funeral Director James F. O’Donnell, Jr. (978) 458-8768.

James S. Cozy Sr.

Beloved husband, father, grandfather;

James S. Cozy, Sr., a long-time resident of Dracut, passed away April 1, 2020.  Jim was born in Washington DC, on September 26, 1937, to John and Adele (Kasprzyk) Cozy. He was a graduate of Dracut High School and Newbury Junior College. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army having served in Korea from 1960 until 1962.  For many years, he was employed by KeyTek in Wilmington, Massachusetts.

One of Jim’s greatest joys was cooking, especially when it came to preparing holiday dinners for his family, which was something he always treasured.  Jim enjoyed spending time with his family, whether holidays or vacations, and he truly believed the more the merrier.  He was especially fond of his many trips to Nantucket, Maine and Ireland, all of which were shared with his family, and spoke of those memories often. 

Jim was sometimes a man of few words but somehow always managed to come up with a one liner that would make everyone laugh, ease the tension or make newcomers feel welcome.  His unwavering generosity and adoration for his family and friends remains unmatched.  He is already sorely missed. 

He is survived by his wife, Constance (McNamara), his daughter Rachael Garneau, his sons Stephen Cozy and James Cozy, his wife Patricia and their children Christine, John, and Brian. He is also survived by his uncle Henry Naurszewicz; cousin Dorothy Flanagan and her husband William; his niece Lisa Beekman of West Sayville, NY, and his nephew Alex Cozy of Charlotte, NC.  He was predeceased by his parents and brother, John Cozy.

The Cozy family would like to extend their sincere gratitude and appreciation for the members of the Dracut Fire Department, the staff at Fairhaven Healthcare Center and D’Youville Center for Advanced Therapy and all of the healthcare workers at Lowell General Hospital for providing exceptional care and immense compassion toward Jim and his family these last few months. 

A celebration of Jim’s life will be held at a later date. E-condolences may be sent to www.odonnellfuneralhome.com. Memorial donations in Jim’s name may be made to House of Hope, 812 Merrimack St, Lowell, MA 01854 or at houseofhopelowell.org or to Merrimack Valley Food Bank, P.O. Box 8638, Lowell, MA 01853 or at mvfb.org. Arrangements under the care of the O’DONNELL FUNERAL HOME - Lowell, MA. 

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.