Elizabeth Stevens; ran antiques shop
MERRIMAC -- Elizabeth ``Betty" (Pickard) Stevens of Merrimac, a former owner of a Newburyport antiques shop, died Oct. 8 at Port Healthcare Center in Newburyport. She was 83.
Born in Newburyport, she graduated from Amesbury High School in 1940, and attended Favorite Beauty School in Portsmouth, N.H. She worked at CBS Hytron in Newburyport and later as a reporter for the Haverhill Gazette.
She married Samuel A. Stevens in the early 1940s, and they operated an antiques shop on State Street in Newburyport for several years.
Mrs. Stevens was an active member of the Belleville Congregation Church in Newburyport, was interested in national, state and local politics, and was an avid bridge player.
After her husband's death in 1998, Mrs. Stevens moved to Merrimac, where she enjoyed being a member of the Merrimac Red Hatter's group.
Mrs. Stevens leaves a daughter, Elizabeth L. Emery of Merrimac ; a son, Timothy P. of Salisbury ; a brother, Laurence K. Pickard of Wilmington, Ohio ; and two grandchildren.
A memorial service was held Oct. 13 in Belleville Congregational Church. Burial was in Long Hill Cemetery in Salisbury.
Richard A. Newton, veteran, welder; 59
PEABODY -- Richard A. Newton of Peabody, a welder, died Oct. 8 in Spencer after a long illness. He was 59.
Born in Salem, Mr. Newton lived in Peabody most of his life. After graduating from Peabody Veterans Memorial High School, he entered the Navy. Mr. Newton was a member of the Navy Seabees construction unit, and served in Vietnam.
Mr. Newton was a welder for Lynn Sand and Stone, now known as Aggregate Industries, in Swampscott for more than 20 years. He also owned and operated Newton Welding Co. in Peabody for several years.
Mr. Newton was an active member of the VFW Post 1011 in Peabody. He held various offices. and stood color guard for the Vietnam Moving Wall Memorial when it came to Peabody in 2001.
``He never missed any parades or any of the honor guards," said Donna Jansky, commander of the Peabody Veterans Council. She added that despite his illness, Mr. Newton marched in the last Memorial Day parade, and refused a ride when offered one.
``He was very proud of his service, and of everything that was American," said Jansky. ``Even as sick as he was, he always showed up, right up to the very end."
Mr. Newton enjoyed camping in his free time and was a Red Sox and Patriots fan.
Mr. Newton was married to Mary Ann (Oldytowski) of Spencer for 36 years.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Newton leaves two daughters, Lynda of Chicago and Kathleen of Spencer ; a brother, Robert of Peabody ; his mother-in-law, Mary Oldytowski ; and a grandson.
A funeral service was held Friday in St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Peabody. Burial was in the veterans section of Cedar Grove Cemetery, Peabody.
Mary Lou Berry, court clerk; 79
LYNNFIELD -- Mary Lou (Greehy) Berry of Lynnfield, a former clerk at Peabody District Court, died Oct. 12 at her home after an illness. She was 79.
She was born in Peabody and graduated from Peabody Veterans Memorial High School in 1944. She lived in Peabody most of her life before moving to Lynnfield nine years ago.
During World War II, Mrs. Berry worked at the Sylvania Electric Products plant in Salem. Later, she worked with her husband, state Representative John T. Berry, at his jewelry shop in Peabody. She was a salesperson, bookkeeper, and buyer for the John T. Berry Jeweler's Store for 15 years, and ran it for two years following her husband's death.
Mrs. Berry worked for the Peabody District Court for 22 years before retiring in 1990.
She was active a number of area charities and organizations, including the Mental Health Association of the North Shore and the former JB Thomas Hospital's aid association.
She also participated with the Girl Scouts when her daughters were involved, and was a den mother with the Cub Scouts when her son was a member.
She enjoyed cooking, sewing, dancing, shopping, and making arts and crafts for herself and others.
Mrs. Berry leaves three daughters, Lynne Berry of Cape Coral, Fla., Suzanne Mazur of East Kingston, N.H., and Jacqueline Orphanos of Lynnfield ; a son, John T. Jr. of Cambridge ; nine grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren; and her companion of 35 years, John Geer of Peabody.
A funeral Mass was held Monday in St. Maria Goretti Church, Lynnfield. Burial was in Annunciation Cemetery, Danvers.
D. Gilman; worked at Western Electric
GROVELAND -- David Sidney Gilman of Groveland, a retired employee of the Western Electric Co., died Oct. 8 at Merrimack Valley Hospital in Haverhill. He was 87.
Mr. Gilman was born, raised and educated raised in Madison, N.H.
He enlisted in the Navy and during World War II served as an electrician's mate first class aboard the repair ship USS Cebu in the South Pacific.
He was the recipient of the World War II Victory Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Theater Medal (one star), Philippine Liberation Medal, and American Theater Medal.
Mr. Gilman was employed at the now-closed Western Electric telephone manufacturing plant in North Andover for more than 25 years, retiring as a section chief in the late 1970s.
He was a member of the Charles C. Dame Lodge AF & AM in Georgetown, and enjoyed gardening and spending time with his family.
Mr. Gilman leaves Lois G. (Wood), his wife of 66 years; a daughter, Carol Freeman of Haverhill ; a sister, Elizabeth Thompson of Plaistow, N.H. ; three grandchildren; and a great-grandson.
A funeral service was held Oct. 12 in H.L. Farmer & Sons Funeral Home, Haverhill. Burial was in Riverview Cemetery in Groveland.
