Ruth A. Carr Bitzas

Ruth Ann Carr Bitzas of Boerne, Texas was called home on May 18th having lived most of her life in Agawam. She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 30 years, Harry Bitzas, in 2014.
She was born in Pittsburgh, PA to William and Florence Carr and was predeceased by her brother Patrick Carr and sister Lois Whitman. Ruth moved to Agawam in 1956 where she raised her family. She was an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion at St. John the Evangelist Church and member of the Catholic Women’s Club in Agawam, serving many years as a CCD teacher. Ruth also owned and operated her own business, Style Salon, and graduated with an Associate Degree from Holyoke Community College.
Ruth, a Korean war time veteran, served as the Chaplain’s assistant at Roslyn Air Force Station in N.Y. She continued her service, working diligently to bring benefits to those in need as the Director of Veterans Services of the Western Hampden District for 18 years. She served two terms as President of the Western Mass Veterans Service Officers Association, was chairman of the Agawam Veteran’s War Memorial, formed the Agawam Veterans Council and was a member of the American Legion. Ruth was named Outstanding Veterans Agent in 1994 and Top Veterans Agent in Massachusetts in 1999. She initiated the Agawam Honor Roll Project, Memorial Bench Program and was instrumental in the Agawam Veterans Cemetery Project. She also received the prestigious Dan Watson Memorial award for outstanding service to Massachusetts Veterans. Helping Veterans receive the benefits they deserve was one of Ruth’s greatest passions.
Ruth was proud to serve for two terms as Agawam City Councilor between 2002 and 2007, always mindful of the community’s needs. She strongly supported the expansion of the Agawam Senior Center. Ruth had a strong faith, loved gardening, exercise, music and travel with her husband Harry, enjoying many trips to Greece. She moved to Boerne, TX in 2015 to live with her son Steven and his family, where she was a member of St. Peter the Apostle Church.
She was the beloved mother of Kurt R. Fields and his wife Louise of Feeding Hills, Lynne Ann Stapleton and her husband Thomas of Southwick, Gary L. Fields and his wife, Michelle of Agawam, Steven L. Fields and his wife Elizabeth of Boerne, TX and the late John Patrick Fields who passed in 1961.
Ruth leaves behind her cherished grandchildren, John and Daniel Stapleton, Michael, Christopher and the late Nicole Fields and Amanda, David, Josiah and Daniel Fields. Also, her precious great grandchildren, Evan, Sophia, Allison, Jaxson, Ari, Finn, Cambria and recently departed Braedyn.
We will begin to celebrate and honor Ruth with visiting hours on Tuesday, May 28th from 4:00-7:00pm at Colonial Forastiere Funeral & Cremation on 985 Main Street in Agawam. Services will continue on Wednesday, May 29, 2019 at 12 noon at the funeral home to gather and process to St. John the Evangelist Church, Main St., Agawam for a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 1:00pm. Military honors will follow at the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery. For more information or to leave an online message to the family visit www.forastiere.com