Rosella Mary Dean, 90

Rosella Mary (Keough) Dean,  age 90, died peacefully Saturday, February 23, with her daughters at her bedside at Lowell General’s Saints Campus.  She was the devoted wife of the late Edward Norman Dean for 43 years, before his death in 1988.

She was one of four children of the late John and Ella (McHatton) Keough, born in Chelsea on June 6, 1922.  She was raised in Chelsea, and was a proud graduate of Chelsea High School.  In her youth, she had summered with her family in Tewksbury, and moved permanently to town in 1938.

Mrs. Dean was a devout Catholic who became a sister of the Third Order of St. Francis Assisi in 1958.   She was an active fundraiser and among the founders of St. Dorothy’s Parish in Wilmington, where she continued her Faith Journey as a daily communicant of the church.  Mrs. Dean was a former religious education teacher, and former member and Prefect of St. Dorothy’s Ladies Sodality.

Mrs. Dean will be remembered for her beautiful smile and warm caring nature toward others, and will be deeply and sadly missed by those who knew her.

She was the caring and beloved mother of Ellen, Jacqueline, and Catherine Dean, all of Tewksbury, with whom she resided; the dearest sister of Evelyn Plourde of Tewksbury; Godmother and aunt of Dorothy Bowen of Billerica; a special aunt to Elizabeth McGrath of Tewksbury; along with many loving nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her son, William Edward Dean who died in his infancy; and sister of the late Alexander Keough and Melvin Keough.

Visiting hours Tuesday, February 26, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the corner of 1 Dewey and 975 Main Sts. (Rte. 38) TEWKSBURY CENTER, phone (800 in MA or 978) 851 2950.  Her funeral will begin Wednesday at 8;45 a.m. from the funeral home, followed by a Funeral Mass Wednesday, February 27, at 10:00 a.m. in St. Dorothy’s Church, Main St. (Rte. 38) Wilmington.  Burial will follow in Tewksbury Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorials to her favorite charites; St. Dorothy’s Parish, 11 Harnden St., Wilmington, MA 01887 or St. Francis House, 39 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02116 will be appreciated.  tewksburyfuneralhome.com