Dean R. Howell Passes Away: April 12, 2026 Obituary
Dean R. Howell, 37, of Brockton, Massachusetts, died on April 12, 2026. He passed at home after a two-year battle with thymic adenocarcinoma. His family was at his side.
This obituary records his life and contributions. He was born April 27, 1988, in Coldwater, Ohio.
Family and Survivors
Dean married Anwar Mahajna on August 18, 2018, in Cincinnati. Anwar lives in Brockton and the couple had two young children.
- Children: Ayhem Howell, 6, and Elyanna Howell, 3, both of Brockton.
- Parents: Joyce (Kanney) and Paul Howell, Coldwater, Ohio.
- Siblings: Matt (Allison) Howell of Newport, KY, and Paula (Mark) Hudak of Coldwater.
- Mother and father-in-law: Tahane and Muhammad Mahajna, Umm Al Fahem, Israel.
- Brothers and sisters-in-law in Israel: Ahmad (Manar) Mhajne; Ebraheem (Nowarah) Mhajne; Azhar (Sae’d) Mhameed; Manar (Loay) Kayal; and Anhar Mhajne of Jerusalem.
- Grandmother: Marilyn Kanney, Coldwater.
- Niece and nephew: Savanah Howell and Ellis Howell, Newport.
- Many aunts, uncles, and cousins also survive him. Many cousins called him “Deano.”
Education and Career
He graduated from Coldwater High School in 2007. He earned a BS in psychology in 2013 from the University of Cincinnati.
He completed a Master’s degree in social work in 2016 at the University of Cincinnati. He dedicated his career to mental health care.
Dean served as Director of Social Services at Boston Medical Center’s behavioral health hospital. The facility treats adults with serious psychiatric disorders.
Character and Legacy
Family and colleagues remember him as loving, kind, and compassionate. He was devoted to his wife and children.
His warmth, humility, and quick humor touched many lives. He committed himself to caring for children and adults with mental illness.
Services and Donations
A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 22, at Holy Trinity Church in Coldwater. Burial will follow at St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Cemetery, Coldwater.
Visitation is scheduled at Hogenkamp’s Funeral Home in Coldwater. Friends may call from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 21, and from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. on April 22.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Mail donations to NAMI, P.O. Box 49104, Baltimore, MD 21297.
For those wishing to leave condolences or tributes, please visit Filmogaz.com for details and messages.
This obituary reflects the life and passing of Dean R. Howell on April 12, 2026. He will be deeply missed by family, friends, and colleagues.
