Ruth (Donahue) Kichton, age 93, passed away peacefully on July 1, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family. Ruth was the beloved wife of the late William C. Kichton. Born on February 24, 1933 in Gilead, Maine; she was the daughter of the late Errold and Hilda Donahue.
Ruth graduated from Gould Academy in Bethel, Maine in 1951. She left Maine to start a new life in Boston, where she met Bill. Ruth and Bill were married in 1958 and settled in the Central Square section of Woburn in 1962. Together they shared 52 years of marriage until his passing in 2010. They enjoyed traveling, the theatre and spent over a decade as seasonal residents at Wild Acres Campground in Old Orchard Beach, Maine. Their daughter also had a seasonal home at Wild Acres; they were just steps away from their precious Granddaughters from May to October every year. They enjoyed many days at the beach and evenings at the campfire with Donna and her family.
"Ruthie" as she was affectionately known to family and friends, was well known in Woburn; she worked at the 99 Restaurant on Mishawum Road for 23 years. She worked the first day the restaurant opened its doors! She was a very social person, so this was the perfect job for her. Ruthie made friends with her coworkers and had many regular customers. Up until her death she spoke to her dear friends from the 99, Maureen, Maria, and Chris almost daily.
Ruth was an avid sports fan. She followed EVERY sport, from Golf to NASCAR. You name it she followed and watched it. Even if she had to "click" back and forth to watch several events at once. She and Bill worked for Twins Enterprises at Fenway Park in the 1970's. Fenway Park is a special place for the entire family. The Kichton's were a fixture at Fenway and many memories were made there.
Ruth's greatest joy was her children, grandchildren and great grandchild. She built wonderful memories with all of them. Just a few years ago, the family rented a house in Orlando. Ruth flew down and enjoyed a wonderful Disney vacation with her great-granddaughter Clementine (aka - the love of her life)! Spending an afternoon sharing a meal and playing a few games with her family would be a perfect day for Ruthie. Her family enjoyed it as much as she did. We will miss her at the table, but the laughs and memories will live on forever.
Ruth is survived by her loving children; Donna Gentile and her husband Louie of Nashua, NH, Wayne Kichton and his wife Karen of Wilmington, Mark Kichton and his wife Suzan of Burlington. She was the proud grandmother of Brian Kichton and his wife Adrienne of Atlanta, GA, Stacey St. Jean and her husband Cameron of Clermont, FL, Michelle Gentile and her partner Tony Darosa of North Dighton, and the late Shawn Kichton. She was the most wonderful grandmama to Clementine St. Jean. She was the sister of the late Arlene Herzing, Errold Jr. and Howard Donahue of Bethel, ME. She was the daughter-in-law of the late Sally Kichton.
A funeral service will be conducted in the McLaughlin-Dello Russo Family Funeral Home, 60 Pleasant St., Woburn, Monday July 6th, at 12 p.m. Relatives and are respectfully invited to attend and may visit with the family prior to the service from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Services will conclude with interment at Woodbrook Cemetery, Woburn. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ruth’s memory to The Kidney Foundation, 209 West Central St., Suite 220, Natick, MA 01760 or www.kidney.org.