... well known Tewksbury family; 80
TEWKSBURY - Mrs. Doris M. (Swindell) Westaway, R.N. a resident of Tewksbury for over 50 years, died peacefully Tuesday, February 14, at her home, after a long period of declining health. She was the beloved wife for 26 years of the late Tewksbury Police Officer, Leith N. Westaway, who died May 7, 1979.
She was born in Everett, April 14, 1931, the oldest of seven children of the late Howard J. and Sarah (McLay) Swindell Sr. She was raised in Everett, graduated from Everett High School, and went on to graduate from the Whidden Memorial Hospital School of Nursing, enabling her to earn her accreditation as a Registered Nurse. She worked at the Whidden Memorial Hospital, and left there as a Nursing Supervisor when she moved her family to Tewksbury in 1958. She resumed her career as a R.N. at Tewksbury Hospital, retired from the hospital, and joined the staff of Lawrence McCartin, M.D. in Tewksbury, where she continued for an additional 20 years. She later worked as a substitute nurse in the Tewksbury School System, before returning to Dr. McCartin's staff.
She was a former member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Woburn Chapter, and was a member of the Tewksbury United Methodist Church.
She enjoyed knitting, and was known for knitting infant hats and booties for the Neo-Natal Unit of the N.E. Medical Center, for the children at the Ann Sullivan Center at Tewksbury Hospital, and for the annual crafts fair at St. William's Church.
She is survived by her two sons and daughters-in-law, retired Tewksbury Police Sergeant Robert L. Westaway, and his wife Kathleen (O'Keefe) of Tewksbury, Tewksbury D.P.W. employee, Richard L. Westaway, and his wife Barbara (Anderson) of Tewksbury; a daughter and son-in-law, Lyn K. Severino and her husband John of Winchester; ten grandchildren, Kerri L. Kelly and her husband Brandon of Lowell, Erin E. Gamlin and her husband Jon of Tewksbury, Katelin A. Westaway of Tewksbury, Daniel R. Westaway of Tewksbury, Jarod L. Westaway and Joshua L. Westaway both of FL, Jason Ventolieri of Tewksbury, Melissa R. Saunders and her husband Paul of Tewksbury, Krista L. Severino and Coryn M. Severino both of Winchester; three great grandchildren, Kasey, Kayla, and Madelin; three brothers, Howard J. Swindell Jr. of Somersworth, NH, Harold L. Swindell of Grafton, MA, Lorne M. Swindell and his wife Joan of Nashua, NH; a sister, Janet A. DeCourcey and her husband Arthur of VA; a sister-in-law, Judy Swindell of GA; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was also sister of the late Mary Deborah Mersereau, and John A. "Jackie" Swindell.
Hwer Funeral Service was held Saturday, February 18, in the Tewksbury United Methodist Church, So. Tewksbury. Burial followed at Tewksbury Cemetery.
Memorials to the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation, 280 Hillside Ave., Needham, MA 02494, ph. 800 314 3459 or visit www.ccfa.org/chapters/ne/ or to the Greater Lowell, VNA Hospice, 336 Central St., Lowell, MA 01852, will be appreciated.