Ruth Jean (McCrillis) Mitchell

Ruth J. Mitchell, 90 NORTH ANDOVER --- Ruth Jean (McCrillis) Mitchell, 90, of North Andover, died Friday, May 23, at Northeast Rehabilitation Hospital, Salem, NH, following an eight-week hospitalization for pneumonia and a courageous, seven-year battle with lymphoma. A lifelong resident of the Merrimack Valley, Mrs. Mitchell was born in Lawrence on September 21, 1917, the daughter of John E. McCrillis of Berwick, Maine and Jane ("Jennie") Frackelton of Lawrence. She attended Lawrence Public Schools, including Lawrence High School. Her marriage to the late Raymond A. Mitchell of Lawrence took place in St. Mary's Church on November 26, 1938; this year would have been marked by their seventieth wedding anniversary. Mrs. Mitchell was a dedicated daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and faithful friend and derived great joy from her family and many acquaintances. In her earlier years, she worked as a hair stylist and waitress. With the births of her three children, she chose to be a full-time mother and homemaker, but returned to the workforce after her sons were grown. Before her retirement in the mid-1980s, she had spent many years working in the catering services business throughout the Merrimack Valley area and also had been employed for a number of years by Canteen Corporation as an executive dining room attendant at the former Western Electric facilities in North Andover. She was most proud of her role as the center of her immediate and extended family. In September 2007, she was honored by the entire family for having reached the milestone of her ninetieth birthday. A voracious reader and fan of crossword puzzles and word games, Mrs. Mitchell also enjoyed crocheting and other crafting activities. As a resident of Wood Ridge Homes in North Andover for the past 28 years, she also participated in many group trips and frequently attended programs at the town's senior center. Mrs. Mitchell will be sadly missed by family members and all who knew and admired her for her quiet, dignified and caring manner, her quick and gentle humor, and an always kind and respectful way with everyone she met. The Mitchell family expresses its sincere appreciation to the clinical and support staffs at Northeast Rehabilitation Hospital for their generous and compassionate care of Mrs. Mitchell during her final illness, as well as profound gratitude to the St. Michael Parish community for its loving and constant support of Mrs. Mitchell during her many years as a member of its family. Mrs. Mitchell was predeceased by her husband in 1974 and by her sister and only sibling, Helen E. (McCrillis) Day, in 1979. She is survived by her three sons, Raymond J. Mitchell of Dover, NH; Robert T. Mitchell of Raymond, NH; and Richard A. Mitchell and his wife, Doris, of Hampstead, NH; her daughter-in-law, Barbara A. Mitchell of Haverhill; Christopher J. Mondello of Dover, NH, a dear friend; five grandchildren, Karen Weaver and her husband, Timothy, of East Longmeadow, David R. Mitchell and his wife, Erica, of West Ossippee, NH, Kevin R. Mitchell of Haverhill, Beth C. Mitchell of Wrington, North Somerset, England, and Eric A. Mitchell of Hampstead, NH; five great-grandchildren, Jake and Sammy Weaver of East Longmeadow, and Lauren, Kaelin and Cameron Mitchell of West Ossippee, NH; seven nieces and nephews; and several cousins. ARRANGEMENTS: Family members and friends are invited to attend the Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, May 30, at 10 a.m. in St. Michael's Church, North Andover. Burial will follow at Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Methuen. Those wishing to pay their respects may call on Thursday, May 29, from 4 to 8 p.m. at St. Michael's Church, 196 Main Street, North Andover. Floral tributes should be sent directly to the church, and memorial contributions in Mrs. Mitchell's name may be made to St. Michael's Church. To leave online messages of condolence, please visit: www.breenfuneralhome.com .

Ruth Jean (McCrillis) Mitchell

May 23, 2008