Ann E. (McMahon) Craven

Beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend.

Ann E. (McMahon) Craven, 86, a lifelong resident of Lowell, passed away on Tuesday, December 9, 2025.

She was the devoted wife to the late Joseph C. Craven who died in 2007 and whom she missed every day.

Born in Lowell, Massachusetts on March 7, 1939, a daughter of the late Leo and the late Isabelle (Leonard) McMahon, she attended Lowell schools and was a graduate of Lowell High School Class of 1957.

Prior to her retirement, Ann was a longtime employee of Verizon (formerly Nynex and New England Telephone).

An avid runner, she enjoyed many years as a member of the Greater Lowell Road Runners.  She also enjoyed volunteering her time at Cor Unum Meal Center in Lawrence and the Merrimack Repertory Theatre in Lowell.

Although Ann was no bigger than a minute (especially at the end when she was back to her “wedding weight" as she put it) her passing leaves an enormous void in the hearts of her loving family and large group of treasured friends who filled her life with laughter and joy.

She often said that she did not like food yet couldn’t get enough of going out to eat with her late-in-life companion Ray Wilkins, her special chums Patty Luz, Sue Toupin, and Carolann Hynes or her lifelong friends Dottie Ayer and Dottie Quinlan.  She truly was a "social butterfly" and enjoyed making memories and sharing laughs with her many friends and family.

One of her favorite sayings was "it is better to give with a warm heart than a cold hand" and she routinely practiced what she preached to express her great appreciation for the care she received over the years.  She faced numerous medical challenges and handled them with humor and grace.

With her passing she leaves behind her children Kelly A Sargeant and her husband Matthew of Westford, Kerry J. Craven of Lowell, Maureen E. McSheehy and her husband Robert of Derry, NH and Joseph F. Craven and his wife Robin L. (Hanson) of Lowell. She was the beloved “Nana” to Em & Katy McSheehy and Maddison & Rylie Craven.   The special bond she shared with her remaining sibling, Maura McMahon, brought her much joy and strength.  She is also survived by her dear sister-in-law Mary Ann (Connolly) McMahon and brother-in-law Gerald & his wife Pauline Craven.

She was predeceased by her brother James (who passed on February 11th of this year) and her brothers and their wives Bernard & Pat (who passed on November 6th of this year), Francis & Sally, Leo & Janet, Martin & Betty, and Richard. She was also the sister-in-law to the late Francis, James, John and George Craven.

Lastly, she was a special and attentive aunt and great aunt to those in her immediate and extended families.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her Memorial Funeral Mass to be celebrated on Friday, December 19, 2025, at the IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH in LOWELL at 11 o’clock. (Please Meet at Church). Private Committal Services will be held for the family at a later date. E-condolences/directions at www.odonnellfuneralhome.com. Please, no flowers.  Remember her by donating to Centurion (www.centurion.org), Cor Unum (www.corunummealcenter.org), or a charity of your choosing.  You also can stop into The Old Court to raise a glass and share a story of the fun times you shared with Ann. She will be sitting there at your side. Arrangements by the O’DONNELL FUNERAL HOME – LOWELL – MA – (978) 458-8768.

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