July 10, 1931 – May 2, 2025
Marilyn Rita (Spear) Crosby, 93, of Reading, passed away on Friday, May 2, 2025, at Sawtell Hospice House after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Born in Melrose and raised in Somerville, she was the daughter of the late Frank Spear and Helen (Linehan) Spear, and her sister Rose (Spear) Brogan. Marilyn was a graduate of Somerville High School and worked as a secretary at several companies in Boston and Cambridge before marrying her husband Richard in June of 1959. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was a member of St. Athanasius Church in Reading and served as a volunteer for Meals on Wheels for many years. In her later years, she spent winters in Naples, Florida, where she enjoyed walking and spending time with friends. She had a great sense of humor, loved to laugh and made the best apple pie.
Marilyn is survived by the love of her life, her husband of 65 years, Richard J. Crosby, daughter Karen DiCenzo of Andover, daughter Gail Donovan and her husband Brian of Reading, son Richard Crosby, Jr. and his wife Cindy of Reading, grandchildren Danielle Tubinis and her husband Luke, Kate Donovan, Sean Donovan, Brendan Donovan, Chad DiCenzo, Ryan Crosby, Emily Crosby, and great grandson Lorenzo Tubinis and several nieces and nephews.
A thank you to the memory care staff at Windsor Place in Wilmington and Sawtelle Hospice House for their loving care.
Funeral services and burial for Marilyn are private and there are no visiting hours.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in Marilyn’s memory to Sawtelle Family Hospice House 320 Haverhill St. Reading, MA 01867 or the Alzheimer’s Assoc 3201 Nevada St. Newton, MA 02460 www.alz.org.
