Joyce M. Young

Joyce (Araujo) (Donohue) Young of Lowell, MA, but formerly of Fall River, MA passed away Tuesday June 30, 2020 surrounded by her loving family.

She was the beloved wife for 39 years of B. Robert “Bob” Young, who survives her.

Born in Fall River, Massachusetts, August 26, 1945, a daughter of the late John and the late Dorothy (Oliveira) Araujo, she attended Fall River schools and was a graduate of the Dominican Academy in Fall River where she was Captain of the Debating Team her junior and senior year.

Joyce received her L.P.N. Degree from Dimond Vocational School of Practical Nursing. Later, she graduated from the Travel School of America as a Licensed Travel Agent.

She spent most of her career as a nurse at Fernald State School in Waltham, MA and later as a travel agent with the National Leisure Group (NLG). In addition, she co-owned a craft store in Arlington, MA.

A woman of many talents, Joyce was a great storyteller and chef. She enjoyed cooking, crafting, traveling and history but was most happy when she was with her family.

Besides her husband, Joyce is survived by her children Catherine Kendig of Lowell, Jennifer & Paul Walsh and John D. Donohue all of Tewksbury;

her grandchildren Amanda Naughton and her husband Kevin, Christopher Kendig and his wife Laura, Timothy Walsh, Shannon Fitzgerald and her husband Martin and James Donohue; her great grand-children Micheala, Matthew, Cameron, Emma, and Eryn.

In light of Covid 19 restrictions all services where private. E-condolences at www.odonnellfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to https://massgeneral.org/children/donate  or to a charity of your choice. Arrangements by the O’DONNELL FUNERAL HOME – LOWELL (978) 458-8768.

John Philip Dunfey

Founder and Chairman, Global Citizens Circle; Founder and CEO, Omni Hotels International; Owned and Renovated Parker House (1968-1988)

John Philip Dunfey, a World War II veteran who dedicated much of his life to fostering world peace and social justice, died at age 96 on June 22, 2020, in Hampton, NH. Known as ‘Jack’ to friends, he spent decades of behind-the-scenes work in support of causes such as the peace process in Northern Ireland and human rights efforts in South Africa, Cuba, Central America, South America, and the Middle East. Notably, Dunfey spearheaded his family’s efforts in 1974 to launch Global Citizens Circle. Originally known as New England Circle, the not-for-profit entity continues its mission almost 50 years later to “...gather diverse, intergenerational voices addressing critical issues and building the trust needed for sustainable change in ourselves, our nation, and our world.”

Dunfey was born in Lowell, MA, on January 7, 1924, to former millworkers, Catherine A. Manning and LeRoy W. Dunfey. The fifth of twelve children, Jack began his work career as did all his siblings at a very young age in his parents’ small luncheonette in the Acre section of Lowell.

After graduating from Lowell’s Keith Academy, Jack joined the U.S. Air Force in 1943, attaining the rank of first lieutenant while serving as a B-24 and B-29 pilot instructor. Following his honorable discharge in 1946, he earned his bachelor of science degree in business at the University of New Hampshire in 1952.

He also led his family's business. From 1950 to 1988, the enterprise expanded from New England-area luncheonettes, clam stands, and pizza shops to the Dunfey Hotel Corporation, whose hallmark became refurbishing downtrodden inner-city hotels.  When the Corporation acquired Omni Hotels International—with its dozens of properties worldwide, including London and Paris—Jack kept the corporate headquarters rooted in Hampton, NH, to help preserve the close employee-management relationship that was so much a part of the early family business.

The acquisition and restoration of the historic Parker House Hotel in Boston in 1968 — in the era of assassinations, the Vietnam War, and Civil Rights Movement — provided Jack and his siblings a prominent base to advance their beliefs in social justice. For many years, he led human rights missions into neglected corners of the world with his personal goal of releasing political prisoners. His favorite saying was: “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” He was kind, thoughtful and generous with his immediate and extended family and with the larger human family.

The missions to Cuba, for his meetings with Fidel Castro, led to the release of 87 prisoners, the removal of landmines in Angola, and the freeing up of food supplies to enter Ethiopia.

While a staunch Democrat, Jack was noted for working across party lines to achieve his objectives. In 1984 President Ronald Reagan, a staunch Republican, appointed Dunfey as one of the nine-member commission founders of the United States Institute for Peace, tasked with promoting conflict resolution and peace worldwide.

Jack was also a founding board member of the American Ireland Funds. He and his brothers, Bob and Walter, were recognized as bridge-builders and advocates of cross-community dialogue during the Troubles in Northern Ireland. When John Hume and David Trimble were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1994, they invited Jack and Bob to travel with them and their families to Oslo.

That same year, Jack was also appointed an independent, international monitor in South Africa's historic first election of Nelson Mandela as president.

Jack is survived by his wife, Lisa Timpé Dunfey, Boston, MA; three children, Susan Dunfey, Rye, NH; David Dunfey, Sebastian, Florida; Stephen Dunfey, Portsmouth, NH; and three siblings, Eileen Dunfey Robinson, Bradenton, Florida; Jerry Dunfey and his wife, Nadine Hack, Lutry, Switzerland; Eleanor Dunfey and her husband, James Freiburger, Exeter, NH; and many nieces, nephews and cousins whom he cherished. 

Jack was preceded in death by his son, Philip; and Joan Lannan Dunfey, the mother of his children, as well as eight siblings: Roy, Paul, Kay, Mary, Bud (Bill), Robert (Bob), Richard (Dick), and Walter.

Because of COVID-19 restrictions, the family plans a memorial to celebrate Jack’s life at a later date,

In lieu of flowers, the family requests a contribution to support the continued mission of Global Citizens Circle, 661 Douglas St, Manchester, NH 03012; https://globalcitizenscircle.org/donate

The Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA or The Ireland Funds of America.

E-condolences at www.odonnellfuneralhome.com. Arrangements by the O’DONNELL FUNERAL HOME in LOWELL, MA - (978) 458-8768.

 Louis Joseph Stagnone 

Beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and brother; 

Lowell - We are saddened to share the news that Louis J. Stagnone passed away at Anna Jacques Hospital, Newburyport, following a brief illness. He died on June 6, 2020 at the age of 90, after a full life rich in the appreciation of a loving family, friends, nature and purposeful activity.

Lou was the beloved husband of Shirley (Bouchard) Stagnone. He was born in Lowell on July 1, 1929, the eldest of the late Joseph and Helen (Finnegan) Stagnone’s five sons. He grew up surrounded by a large family and many lifelong friends. Lou attended high school at Keith Academy where his innate leadership skills resulted in him serving as class president and captain of the football team. Following high school, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Marketing, graduating in 1951 as a member of the initial class of Merrimack College, Andover.  He was immediately drafted by the U.S. Army to serve in the Korean conflict and married his high school sweetheart, Shirley, just before shipping out. True to his adventurous nature, Lou volunteered to serve as an advance scout during his year in Korea, although that fact was not revealed to family until after his safe return. Upon release from his service, Lou subsequently settled in Tewksbury, where he built a house that became the family home to Shirley and Lou’s five children for the next 36 years. Later in life, Lou and Shirley returned to live in their hometown of Lowell until March of 2020 when they moved to senior living at Atria Merrimack Place, Newburyport. 

In addition to Shirley, his wife of 67 years, Lou is survived by his five children, their spouses, seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Immediate family includes Mary Lou and Paul McCarthy of Georgetown, Joseph and Susan Stagnone of Exeter, NH, Thomas Stagnone of Cranston, RI, Mark and Heather Stagnone of Litchfield NH and Beth and Gordon Stockwood of Amesbury. Grandchildren include Brenna McCarthy and her husband Greg Sulser, Kelly McCarthy, Leah, Hayden and Sarah Stagnone, Gordon and Sam Stockwood and great-grandchildren Maeve and Callan Sulser. Lou is also survived by his sister-in-law Margaret of Plantation, FL. Lou enjoyed a close relationship with his youngest, surviving brother Frank Stagnone and his wife Tish of Chelmsford until the end of his life.

Lou was predeceased by three of his brothers, Daniel Stagnone of Dracut, MA and his wife Patricia, James Stagnone of Albuquerque, NM and Joseph Stagnone of Plantation, FL.

Lou spent more than thirty years employed in the printing industry at the Courier Citizen Corporation, in Lowell, advancing from an estimator to manager of the Courier’s North Chelmsford plant. He also served on the Board of Directors at the Washington Savings Bank. Upon his retirement from the Courier Citizen, Lou used his real estate license to pursue a second career at Cooney Real Estate of Lowell.

Lou’s children will always be grateful for the devotion he showed their mother and the commitment and support he exhibited for immediate and extended family. Lou was a remarkably active man who inspired his family with a love of nature and outdoor activity. He loved New Hampshire’s White Mountains, eventually built a family vacation home there and introduced his family to skiing, tennis and hiking. He was famous for the encouraging phrases, “It’s just a gentle hill” and “It’s just a short hike” when urging family forward on his planned athletic expeditions. He was a continuous example of honesty, generosity and kindness while still ensuring that no one was slacking on making the most of every day. Lou was so proud of his close family. He could be found on every sideline and in every school auditorium enthusiastically supporting his grandchildren’s pursuits. His zest for living rewarded his family with a wealth of happy, shared memories.

 Lou was a devout Catholic for his entire life. Masses said in his memory would be an appreciated gesture. His family honored his memory with a private Funeral Mass and Committal Services at St. Mary Cemetery in North Tewksbury. Please visit www.odonnellfuneralhome.com to send the family a message of condolence. Arrangements by the O’DONNELL FUNERAL HOME – LOWELL – (978) 458-8768

Alda A. Betley

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

Alda A. (Pereira) Betley, 88, of Lowell, Massachusetts, passed away Sunday March 1, 2020 at her home surrounded by her loving family.

She was the loving wife of the late Walter J. Betley who died March 14, 2011.

Born in Lowell, Massachusetts, March 19, 1931, a daughter of the late Antonio and the late Maria (Sousa) Pereira, she received her education in the Lowell School system.

For many years Alda worked in the electronics industry as an assembler at Honeywell, Symphonic and, RCA, where she helped work on the space program for NASA.

An active woman, she enjoyed dancing, singing, movies, games, sports but most especially loved to be with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Always the loyal fan she would travel to watch her grandsons play hockey and baseball.

Alda is survived by her son Richard J. Betley and his wife Sandra of Lowell; a daughter Barbara A. Hogan and her husband Donald J. of Lowell; a granddaughter Kate Brown and her husband Steve of Lowell; three grandsons Justin Hogan and his wife Brittnee Cann of Reseda, CA, Trevor Hogan of Lowell and Matthew Betley of Lowell; six great grandchildren Quinn, Eli, Annabel, Owen, Dalilah and June; a sister Mary Dugas and her husband Roger of Lowell; a brother Anthony Pereira of Lowell; many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

She was the sister of the late Augustina Tremblay, the late John and the late Jose Pereira.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Funeral Mass to be celebrated Saturday morning June 27, 2020 at ST. PATRICK CHURCH in Lowell at 11 o’clock. A private burial will take place at a later date. E-condolences/directions at www.odonnellfuneralhome.com. Those wishing may make contributions in her memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN, 38101. Arrangements by the O’DONNELL FUNERAL HOME – LOWELL – (978) 458-8768.