Mary Eleanor Mitchell

Mary Eleanor Johnson Mitchell, 90, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 23, 2018 in Chubbuck, Idaho. Mary was born April 25, 1928 in Pocatello, ID to Mark Lavell Johnson & Mary Alfretta Hancock. Her parents were married after both of them had lost their spouses. Mark had seven children and Retta had eight children. Mark always commented, "We got married and woke up with fifteen children!" Mary brought the family count up to 16 children.

Mary graduated from Pocatello High School in 1946. In December of that year she married Donald B. Mitchell. Together they had 7 children.

She worked 35 years for Mountain Bell and was a life member of the Telephone Pioneers. She spent 16 years as the Treasurer for the Communications Workers of America. She was also an officer of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill. She was especially proud to be awarded the Wilbert Cammack Award in 1992 for outstanding contributions to mental health issues.

Mary, Donald and their children were baptized in 1958 into the Catholic Faith. Mary was active in Catholic organizations: communion minister, chaired funeral dinners, hospital communion & shut-in visitor.
Mary enjoyed sewing, gardening, reading, and writing poetry.

Mary is survived by her children; Donald Mitchell of Belgrade, MT, Donette (Lee) Cranor, of Chubbuck, ID, Shawn (Lori) Mitchell of Inkom, ID, Sheila K. (Gary) Stewart of Boise, Cindy Mitchell (Michael Verzwyvelt) of Twin Falls, Vicky (Dave) Fisher of Nampa, and Mark Mitchell of Chubbuck, ID; and 17 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her 15 siblings, including her close sisters Emma & Elnora; and a grandson, Adam Cranor.

In lieu of flowers the Mitchell family asks that donations be made in her honor to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). www.nami.org/Get-Involved/Donate

A rosary service will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, September 28, 2018 at Wilks Funeral Home 211 W. Chubbuck Road in Chubbuck with a viewing to follow immediately after until 9 PM. Funeral Mass will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 29, 2018 at St. Joseph's, interment will follow in Restlawn Memorial Gardens.

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