Louis C. Polianites

Beloved husband, father, grandfather; and friend;

Louis C. Polianites, 74, of West Newfield, Maine, but formerly of Lowell, Massachusetts, passed away on Thursday May 13, 2021, at Tufts New England Medical Center following a brief illness.

He was the loving husband for over 54 years of Gayle A. (Marchand) Polianites, who survives him.

Born in Lowell, Massachusetts, March 20, 1947, a son of the late Evangelos and the late Sophie (Radzik) Polianites, he attended Lowell schools and was a graduate of Lowell High School Class of 1964. Lou went on to attend Newbury Junior College and was a graduate from Merrimack College with a Bachelor of Science in Business.

A veteran of the Vietnam War, Louis proudly served his country as a Sergeant with the U.S. Air Force.

Prior to his retirement from the Town of Andover, he was plumbing and HVAC technician for over 25 years.

Louis enjoyed hunting and fishing in Maine and was the President of the Northern York County Rod and Gun Club in West Newfield, ME.

A devoted husband, father and grandfather, he was most happy when he was with his family.

Besides his wife Gayle, he is survived by his daughter Tracy A. Bernard and her husband Shawn of West Townsend; his son Christopher L. Polianites and his wife Gloria of Dracut; a grandson Timothy M. Bernard of West Townsend; and his best friend and loyal companion, his dog, Emma.

Due to gathering concerns, all Funeral Services were held privately for the family. E-condolences at www.odonnellfuneralhome.com. Those wishing may make contributions in his memory to Vietnam Veterans of America, 8719 Colesville Rd., Suite 100, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Arrangements by the O’DONNELL FUNERAL HOME – LOWELL – MA – (978) 458-8768.

Norma L. Sheppard

Beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend;

Norma L. (Costello) Sheppard, 95, of Dracut, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on Friday May 14, 2021 at the High Pointe Hospice House in Haverhill, Massachusetts.

She was the loving wife of the late Robert W. Sheppard who died in 2000.

Born in Lowell, Massachusetts, August 3, 1925, the daughter of the late John J. and the late Catherine (Delehanty) Costello, she attended Dracut schools and was a graduate of Dracut High School Class of 1943. Norma went onto graduate from Lowell Commercial College.

Prior to her retirement, Norma was a clerk with the U/Mass Lowell Student Services mail room on North Campus. Previously, she was in the insurance industry for over 20 years and was a former Auto Department Supervisor with Fred C. Church.

A lifelong and dedicated resident of Dracut, Norma served her town for over 32 years as a clerk with the Voting Commission at the Navy Yard Precinct and with the Dracut Democratic Town Committee for over 35 years. She was also a longtime member of the Dracut Senior Citizens.

Norma is survived by a son Robert W. Sheppard of Dracut; a daughter Judith C. Sheppard-Silva  and her husband Arthur Silva of Plaistow, NH; six grandchildren Erin Cantwell of Ayer, Catherine L. Christie of Haverhill, Robert W. Sheppard, III, Bryan M. Sheppard, Kevin P. Sheppard and John J. Sheppard all of Dracut; five great grandchildren Carissa Cantwell, Elijsha Christie, Tyson Christie, Angelica Christie and Quinn Sheppard; and many nieces and nephews.

She was also the mother of the late Nancy Misiazek who died in 2009, grandmother of the late Jeffrey M. Borski who died in September 2020 and sister of the late Walter Costello, the late Kathleen Cahill and the late Richard Costello.

Due to gathering concerns, all services were held privately for the family. E-condolences at www.odonnellfuneralhome.com. Those wishing may make contributions in her memory to the High Pointe Hospice House, 360 North Ave., Haverhill, MA 03830. Arrangements by the O’DONNELL FUNERAL HOME – LOWELL, MA (978) 458-8768.

Wendy Ann Normand

  An extraordinary mother, a beautiful daughter, and a loving grandmother; 

  Wendy A. (Welcome) Normand, 46, departed from this world on Wednesday May 12, 2021 in Tufts Medical Center due to complications of two strokes. 

  Born in Lowell, Massachusetts, January 3rd, 1975, Wendy was the daughter of her dear parents Joann I. (Brunelle) Welcome and Roy D. Welcome of Lowell, MA.

  Before she passed, Wendy had lost her husband Jason P. Normand unexpectedly on March 31, 2021.

  A loving mother who wanted the world for her girls, Wendy is deeply missed and cherished by her eldest daughter Alicia C. Welch of Haverhill and her youngest daughter Leah K. Camara of Wilmington. She will be lovingly missed by her beloved best friend, and the father of her youngest daughter, Ronald Camara of Wilmington, her precious granddaughter Skylar R. Delorbe, her loving sister Bethany Welcome of Truman, Minnesota, and her three beautiful nieces Audrey, Molly, and Gracie.

Known for her confident nature, humorous character, and lovely smile, Wendy was an all around outstanding person who strived for individuality. Hardworking, she spent many years diligently working as a nursing aide for the Bedford VA hospital in Bedford, MA. In addition to how amazing she was, Wendy enjoyed a plethora of hobbies in her lifetime including, but not limited to, watching her favorite movies and tv shows, listening to old school rock music, and creating memories with friends. However, nothing would ever beat the love she felt towards spending her moments with family. 


Family and friends are cordially invited to gather at the O’DONNELL FUNERAL HOME 276 PAWTUCKET ST. in Lowell and share memories of Wendy’s eternal life on Saturday, May 22nd from 10 A.M. til 12 Noon. E-condolences/directions at www.odonnellfuneralhome.com. Facial coverings are required while inside the funeral home. Those wishing may make charity contributions in her memory to the National Brain Tumor Society. Arrangements by Funeral Director James F. O’Donnell, Jr. (978) 458-8768

Michael P. Thumm

Beloved brother, uncle, nephew and friend;

Michael P. Thumm, 61, of Lebanon, New Hampshire, but formerly of Lowell, passed away after a brief illness on Monday May 10, 2021 at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire.

Born in Lowell, Massachusetts, December 2, 1959, the son of the late Philip H. and the late Nancy J. (McLarnon) Thumm, he attended Lowell schools and was a graduate of Greater Lowell Technical High School Class of 1978.

Prior to his retirement, Michael was a sheet metal mechanic with Precise Industries in Lowell.

Mike loved to read, play cribbage and compete in cribbage leagues. He also enjoyed nature, hunting and fishing. A former member of the East End Club, he was also a Boy Scout.

He is survived by three sisters Cynthia T. Cisowski and her husband Marian of Pepperell, Kristina A. Thumm of Haverhill, and Heidi A. Stokes of Dracut; a brother Philip H. Thumm, II of Dracut; two nieces Jessica Byrne and her husband Ryan of Milford, NH, Annalise Stokes and her fiancé Greg St. Louis of Townsend; three nephews; Master Sgt. Kristopher Cisowski, of the United States Air Force , R.J. Stokes of Townsend, and Quinn Dignan of Dracut; one grand niece Kenleigh and four grand nephews; Gabriel, Brody, Cian and Brogan; two aunts Mary Mansur of Hudson, NH and Patricia Amboian of Andover, MA; many cousins and his former brother-in-law Ronald Stokes of Townsend.

Relatives and friends are invited to his Memorial Visitation at the O’DONNELL FUNERAL HOME 276 PAWTUCKET ST. in LOWELL from 10 A.M. to 12 Noon on Thursday May 20, 2021. Due to gathering restrictions, his Funeral Services will be held privately for the family. E-condolences at www.odonnellfuneralhome.com. Those wishing may make contributions in his memory to The World Wildlife Fund, Inc. Arrangements by Funeral Director James F. O’Donnell, Jr. (978) 458-8768.