LOWELL—Dr. Anne M. McParland, 71 years old, Professor Emerita, University of Massachusetts Lowell, died Monday morning August 2nd, at Saints Memorial Medical Center.
She was born in Lowell, on August 10, 1932, a daughter of the late Francis H. and Ethel F. (Smith) McParland.
Dr. McParland was a graduate of Lowell State Teacher’s College, with a B.S. in Elementary Education. She received her Master’s Degree from Boston University in Education and Reading. In 1970 she continued her studies at Harvard University in Reading and Language. She also graduated from Boston University with a Doctorate in Secondary Education, English and Reading.
She began her teaching career in the Wilmington Public Schools and stayed from 1954 until 1966. In 1966 she became the Supervisor of Education, Reading for the Commonwealth of Mass. Department of Education. Anne’s career with the University of Lowell began in 1968 and continued until her retirement in 1991, where she was the Associate Professor of Education, for Reading Language and Literacy. She was also the Co-Director of the Educational Evaluation Center for the Dunstable Schools from 1971 until 1973. Most recently, she served as a consultant for the School Improvement Program at the Shaughnessy School, in Lowell. She was a noted guest speaker and made presentations on reading and language to professional groups throughout the United States, Ireland and Nicaragua. She was also the past president and founder of the Merrimack Valley Reading Association.
Her Educational Honors included the National Honor Society, in 1950, the Clementine Bowers Scholarship from the Lowell Teachers Association. She was a founding member of the Pi Lambda Theta National Honor Society for Women, Alpha Gamma Chapter. She received a Special Education Fellowship for the advanced study of Learning Disablilites/Reading; the International Reading Association Award for Contributions to the Promotion of Literacy; and the Distinguished Alumni Award from the College of Education at the University of Lowell.
She was a communicant of the Immaculate Conception Church and held membership in the Holy Rosary Sodality of that parish.
Surviving her are a niece: Patricia (McParland), and her husband Billy Flowers, of Andover; a nephew: Edward F. McParland, of Lowell; two grand nephews: Cameron and Kevin Flowers, of Andover; two grand nieces: Erica Flowers, of Andover; and Robin McParland, of Lowell; cousins: Mary Lou and her husband James Healy, of Dracut; Pauline and Theresa Kenney, both of Lowell.
She was the sister of the late Francis H. McParland; and cousin of the late John, Francis and Thomas Kenney.
Friends may call from 5 to 9 PM on Thursday, August 5th, at the MAHONEY FUNERAL HOME, 187 Nesmith Street, (Rte. 38). Her Funeral Mass to be offered Friday, August 6th, at 12 noon at the IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH, Lowell. Burial in St. Patrick Cemetery, Lowell.