Shirley E. (Pooton) Woollacott – 98, of North Andover and formerly of North Reading for 47 years, died October 7, 2019 at Edgewood in North Andover. She was the beloved wife of the late Robert A. Woollacott.

Born on December 2, 1920 in Brooklyn, NY, she was the daughter of the late Archie and Rose (Nielson) Pooton.

Shirley was a graduate of Bay Ridge High School, Class of 1939 in Brooklyn, NY.  She studied two years in business at Pace Institute in Manhattan, NY. She was a secretary for the Irving Trust Company in New York and also worked part time in Melrose for Veteran’s Housing and Employment.

In 1943 she enlisted in the U.S. Navy and worked in the Office of Naval Intelligence in Washington, D.C. during World War II from 1943 to 1946. She achieved rank of Chief Yeoman.

Shirley was a devoted wife and loving mother with a great sense of humor. She was an active member for over 40 years with the Church of the Good Shepherd in Reading, she served on Vestry, as Sunday School instructor and feeding ministry and other capacities.

Shirley married Robert A. Woollacott on December 26, 1945 at the Christ Church in Brooklyn, NY. She enjoyed ballroom dancing, photography and playing Bridge.

Shirley was a former resident of North Reading for 47 years. She has been a resident of Edgewood in North Andover and a member of the Christ Church in Andover since 1997.

Family members include her loving sons, Robert Woollacott of Cheektowga, NY, Richard Woollacott and his wife Jacqui of North Smithfield, RI and Russell Woollacott of Merrimack, NH. Two grandchildren, Dawn Schregal (Chris) of Amherst, NY and Brad Woollacott (Lauren) of Buffalo, NY; also survived by 5 great grandchildren.

Visitation will be held on Monday, October 14 from 5 to 7 PM at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. Graveside services will be private. A reception will be held at the Edgewood Retirement Community, 575 Osgood Street, North Andover on Tuesday, October 15 from 1 to 3 PM.  Memorial donations may be made in her memory to the Christ Church in Andover or to the Church of Good Shepard in Reading. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Ruth  K.  (Bjork) Leyden – 89, of North Reading and formerly of Melrose, passed away on Thursday, October 3, 2019 at Wingate of Reading.

Born in Melrose, MA on February 11, 1930. She was the daughter of the late Eric and Hilda (Peterson) Bjork.

Ruth worked for the Town of North Reading Planning Department for many years. She participated on the Conservation Committee, setting up several parks in town and has been a resident of North Reading for the past 64 years.

Ruth was an avid photographer and was a member of the Merrimack Valley Camera Club. she also enjoyed traveling as well as skiing.

Family members include her loving husband of 38 years  William P. Leyden; daughters, Sandy Boulanger and her husband William of Chichester, NH and Deborah Leyden of Amesbury; her sons, William Kennedy and his wife Julie of  Derry, NH and William M. Leyden and his wife Joan of North Andover and four grandchildren, Sean Kennedy and his fiancé Emily Rose Higgs, Laura Pezone and her husband Michael, Kelly and Megan Leyden; she was the sister of the late Ernie York and Roy Bjork.

Her funeral will be held on Tuesday, October 8 at 1:00 PM at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 10:00 to 12:45 PM. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in her memory to the American Red Cross. www.redcross.org www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Donald G. Hitchins – 68, of Andover and formerly of North Reading, died Friday, September 27, 2019 at the Life Care Center of Merrimack Valley in Billerica.

Donald was born in Chelsea, MA on March 2, 1951. He was the son of the late Arthur P. and Philomena (Grieco) Hitchins. Don was raised and attended school in North Reading and was a graduate of North Reading High, Class of 1969. He has been a resident of Andover since 1978. For over 38 years, he worked out of Boston’s Logan Airport for Northwest and Delta Airlines as a District Operations Manager, Plant Maintenance Manager, and Ground Service Equipment Mechanic. Donnie was a tireless and dedicated employee who received countless awards and accolades for his achievements. He retired in 2016.

From rebuilding industrial diesel engines and front end loaders, to tinkering on cars and lawnmowers in the driveway, Don was known as a brilliant mechanic. Both his peers and family would tell you that there was never anything that “Diesel Don” couldn’t fix.

Donald also took great pride in serving as a civilian contractor with the United States Air Force in the Persian Gulf during Operation Desert Shield-Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom. For his distinguished service, Don received several of the highest honors and medals awarded to civilians serving our U.S. military.

In retirement, his biggest joys came from walking in the woods with his dog Duncan, mowing the lawn, snow-blowing the driveway, tinkering in the basement, frequent trips to Dunkin Donuts, telling his children to visit more often and drive slower, but most especially chasing his granddaughter around the house and feeding her too many Oreos.

Donald loved his family with all of his heart. Family members include his loving wife Sandra J. (Fraser) Hitchins; his son, Todd Hitchins and wife Celia; daughters, Amanda (Hitchins) Lee and her husband Michael, Jesse Hitchins and her partner Andrew Luttrell; brothers, Fred Hitchins and his wife Deborah, Robert Hitchins and his wife Ellen; sisters, Barbara Zeimetz and her husband Anthony, Kathleen Gallant and her husband Timothy; two grandchildren, Annika and Kellan Lee.

His memorial service will be held on Wednesday, October 2, at 10:30 AM at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 6 Locke Street in Andover. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 1 from 3 to 7 PM at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. Burial will be private. Memorial donations may be made in his memory to North Reading Veteran’s Gift Account, 235 North Street (Town Hall), North Reading, MA 01864, att. Susan Magner. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Rose  Marie  (LaMarre) Darisse– 78, of Middleton and formerly of Salem, MA died Tuesday, September 24, 2019 at the Steward Holy Family Hospital in Methuen. She was the beloved wife of the late Lionel R. Darisse.

Born in Salem, MA on January 1, 1941. She was the daughter of the late Joseph LaMarre and Rosa (Brochu) LaMarre. She was raised in Salem and was a graduate of St. Joseph’s Academy in Salem, Class of 1959.

Rose worked as an Assembler for Analogic, she also worked for Putnam Pantries and for housekeeping at Extended Stay America. Rose has been a resident of Middleton for the past 55 years and was a member of St. Agnes Church.

Rose had a passion for gardening. She loved dogs, watching birds and wildlife. She loved nature and the outdoors. Rose especially loved cooking and was a great pie maker, most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family.

Family members include her loving sons, Charles Darisse and his wife Orlena of Haverhill, Ronald Darisse and his wife Vikki of Salem, NH, Brian Darisse and his wife Nicki of Pelham, NH and Rene Darisse and his wife Cheryl of Hudson, NH; her daughter, Michelle Gilbert and her husband Gerard of Haverhill; her sister, Martha Diebner of Bristol, NH;  grandchildren Peter and Paul Muzichuk, Jr., Kailee, Cassandra and Chantel Darisse, Amber Jones, Montana, Brianna, Joseph, Trevor, Jeremy, and Thomas Darisse, and the late Amanda Muzichuk.

Her funeral will be held from the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading on Monday, September 30 at 9 AM, followed by a 10:30 AM Funeral Mass at St. Agnes Church, 22 Boston Street, Middleton. Visitation will be held on Sunday from 1 to 4 PM. Burial will be in Oakdale Cemetery in Middleton. Memorial donations may be made in her memory to the charity of one’s choice. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Margo L. (Curran) Guzowski – 79, died Monday, September 23, 2019 at the MetroWest Medical Center in Framingham. She was the beloved wife of the late Daniel P. Guzowski.

Born in Portland, Maine on June 1,1940. She was the daughter of the late John F. and Amelia (Deluna) Curran. She was a graduate of Portland High School.

Margo was a retired Sales Associate for Macy’s Department Store in Peabody. She was a member of St. Theresa’s Church in North Reading, where she served as a Eucharistic Minister.

She had a quick wit, beautiful sense of style, and had many friends. Margo was extremely generous, had a strong faith and loved her family more than anything. In the past, she enjoyed tennis and golfing, decorating, traveling, fashion, baking and most of all spending time with her family.

Family members include her loving daughters, Danielle Cathleen Volpe and Michelle Anne Litavis; four grandchildren, Annica Taylor Litavis, Ricky Daniel Litavis, Paxton Jay Volpe and Sara Nicole Volpe.

Her Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, September 28 at 10:00 AM at St. Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter Street (Rt. 62), North Reading. Visitation will be held on Friday, September 27 from 5 to 8:30 PM at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. Burial will be in Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Lawrence. The family request in lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in her memory to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959.