Agnes A. Dreven
...three decades at Lincoln and Shaughnessy Schools; 91
LOWELL - Agnes A. Dreven, age 91, a remarkable woman who touched the lives of thousands of children in her 41 years as an elementary and reading teacher, died Tuesday evening, February 22 at the Westford Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, following a brief illness.
She was born in Lawrence, the daughter of the late Charles and Mary (Janulis) Dreven on February 5, 1920, one of three children who, along with their parents, would remain harmoniously in the same family home on Kinsman Street in Lowell their entire lives.
She graduated from Lowell High School and in 1941 went on to graduate Lowell State Teachers College, now known as U-Mass Lowell, South Campus. She would go on to earn her Ed.M from Fitchburg (State) Teachers College.
She started her teaching career in Sutton, NH before moving on to Pepperell and Billerica, MA ending her employment with the Lowell School Department teaching at the Lincoln and Shaughnessy Schools, until her retirement in 1982.
She remained close to her Lithuanian heritage, her alumni associations, but even closer to her Catholic faith. She will be fondly remembered for her unique and charming linguistic style, her strength, her tenacity, and straight forward ability to express her opinion. Agnes enjoyed traveling with friends and would often reminisce of her time spent in Alaska, Portugal, Ireland, Greece and France. She was a devout member and numerous committees member of the now closed St. Joseph's Lithuanian Church in Lowell, a member of the Greater Lowell League of Catholic Women, the Oblate Missions Club, the Sacred Heart Association of Retired Persons, the Immaculate Conception Church's Young At Heart Club, along with the U-Mass Alumni Association, A.F.S.C.M.E., and the Salvation Army Golden Era Association.
She leaves her devoted brother, Albert J. Dreven with whom she resided, and was predeceased by her sister, Elizabeth and her husband Joseph Deputat. She also leaves her dear friend, neighbor, and dedicated care-giver during her later years, Jason C. Vinas of Lowell; two beloved Godsons, Bruce Karson of VA, and Francis Santos of Pepperell; and dearest friends Eleanor Mello of Lowell, Alice Jezak of Lowell, Virginia Q. Fontaine of Claremont, NH and FL, and Joseph Casper and Robert MacDonald of Moody, ME and FL.
Her Funeral Mass was held Saturday, Feb. 26, in the Holy Family Church, Lowell. Burial followed at St. Patrick's Cemetery, Lowell. Memorial contributions to Holy Family Church, 75 Chamberlain St. Lowell, MA will be appreciated.