Obituary of H. Virginia (Maher) Bitchell

H. Virginia (Maher) Bitchell, 83, of Peabody, died early Wednesday morning at the Lahey Clinic in Burlington, MA after a short illness. She was the wife of the late Stanley L. Bitchell who died last year. She was born in Salem, Ma on September 21, 1924, the daughter of the late Edward and Eleanor Frances (Andrews) Maher and had resided in Peabody most of her life. She had been a phone operator at the switchboard at Beverly Hospital for 7 years and later worked at the GTE Sylvania at the Danvers plant prior to her retirement. She enjoyed playing bridge and loved to cook but her real pleasure in life was caring for her family. She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Paul and Ruth Bitchell of Byfield, MA, a daughter, Suzanne Smith of Sarasota, Fl, a son-in-law, Russell Henault of Peabody, her sister, Ann Marie Maher of Peabody, a brother, Robert Maher of Raleigh, NC, her six grandchildren, Patrick, Emily and Matthew Bitchell of Byfield, Meegan Smith Allbright and her husband Justin of Hilton, NY, Bridget and her husband Michael Bettencourt and Seth Henault all of Peabody, 8 great grandchildren, Sara, Julia, Lea and Hanna Bettencourt, Coral E. Allbright, and Kaylyn, Lane and Trent Henault and many nieces and nephews. She was the mother of the late Elizabeth Henault and the sister of the late Edward Maher. A Visitation will be held on Friday from 10:30 until 11:30 AM at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home at the 82 Lynn St., Peabody facility followed by Services there at 11:30 AM. Relatives and friends are kindly invited. Expressions of sympathy may be made to N.E. Shelter for Homeless Veterans, 18 Court St., Boston, MA 02108 or to Rev. Daniel Doherty O.P. Philippines Mission Fund, c/o Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home 82 Lynn St., Peabody, MA 01960 in her memory.