Byfield - Ruth Patricia Bitchell (née Hogan) passed away peacefully at home on March 27, 2026 surrounded by her children.

Born on Saint Patrick's Day, March 17, 1958 to Audrey and Edward Hogan, Ruth grew up in South Peabody, MA with four brothers: Jack, Edward, Larry and Stephen. She was sporty and sharp — participating in a variety of sports throughout her youth, cheering for Peabody High School, and ultimately receiving her BA in Business from Suffolk University.

An impressive career followed. She spent 29 years at Eastern Bank, where her professional ambition and care for colleagues were both repeatedly recognized. She sat on the boards of HAWC and the Salem Girls and Boys Club, committed to making a difference for those impacted.

She first met her late husband, Paul Bitchell in high school, and their shared love of music and adventure sparked romance a few years later. They married in 1983 and settled in Peabody, where eldest son Patrick was born. They moved to Georgetown, welcoming daughter Emily and youngest son Matthew, before building their longtime Byfield home. Ruth and Paul enjoyed 29 years of marriage filled with many unforgettable memories.

Ruth's greatest accomplishments were her children, which were the center of her universe. She poured herself into their school commitments and extracurriculars, making their passions her own whether she knew the rules of the sport or not. For many years, Ruth served as the Georgetown Soccer registrar and the coordinator for the Triton Pop Warner cheerleading program. There was no distance she wouldn't travel to attend a game or competition, driving hundreds of miles or flying thousands (while taking work calls) to make sure she was always there. It didn't matter if her children aged out of participating — she showed up to support them as soccer and cheer coaches, too.

Summers were spent on the lake in Ossipee, winters spent on ski slopes, spring breaks defined by trips to Disney. As the kids grew older, they took memorable vacations to Europe with family and dear friends.

Ruth became a fixture in so many lives — a magnetic and fun-loving woman who captured hearts easily and loved deeply. She was a loving partner to Paul Mullen, whom she was with for 10 years. They enjoyed traveling and never missed Friday date night. She was a steadfast friend, with a social circle she would call family. Her impact as a mother extended far beyond her own children. She was the first to make a song request and the last one dancing in the kitchen at the end of a night.

She is survived by her children, Patrick, Emily, and Matthew; their spouses Taryn, Brent, and Sean; her grandchildren, Eliza, Poppy, Violet, and James; her brothers Larry and Stephen; sisters-in-law Francis, Debra, and Judy; nieces, a nephew, a partner, and several dear friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul; her parents, Edward and Audrey Hogan; and her brothers Edward and Jack.

Ruth will be sorely missed by all of those who knew and loved her.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, April 2, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St., Peabody, followed by a funeral service celebrating Ruth's life at 1 p.m. Relatives and friends are invited to attend, and flowers may be sent. Memorial donations can also be made to HAWC or the Salem Girls and Boys Club in Ruth's honor. For online guestbook, please visit www.ccbfuneral.com.