Mary Elizabeth O’Connor Mitchell, 87, died peacefully April 19, 2010 at the VNA Hospice House in Vero Beach, following a short illness.
Born Mary O’Connor, to Mr. and Mrs. Charles M. O’Connor in Providence, R.I., on February 22, 1923. Mary was raised in Taunton, Mass., then moved with her family to Fairfield, Conn. in 1939.
Following graduation from Roger Ludlow High School in Fairfield, Mary married John (Jack) W. Mitchell, who at that time was a Lieutenant in the United States Air Corps. Mary was a dedicated Air Force wife for 30 years, accompanying her husband to his assigned international and domestic duty stations; Honolulu, London, Washington, DC and others.
She was an active participant in the Air Force Wives Association World Wide, but Mary was first a mother.
She raised three children; Marja Ann Morris, of Decatur, Ala., Major John W. Mitchell, USAF (deceased) and Sally K Mitchell, D.V.M. of Vero Beach and Knoxville.
Following her husband’s retirement from the Air Force in 1972, the Mitchells settled in Vero Beach. Mary then became associated with Frank Lincoln Interiors where she was a Project Account Manager and coordinator for more than 10 years.
She was also actively involved in the ownership of the Ambassador House, Forty One restaurant and other commercial enterprises in Indian River County. She was a member of the Holy Cross Catholic Church, John’s Island Club and the John’s Island Community Service League.
She was a significant contributor to many charitable organizations in Indian River County; The VNA Hospice House, Boy’s and Girl’s Club, The Homeless Center, McKee Jungle Gardens, Veteran’s Island and numerous others, including her establishment of the John W. Mitchell, Jr. Bone Marrow Transplant Fellowship at Moffitt Cancer Center.
Due to her active participation in multiple charities, she was nominated as Philanthropist of The Year in 2009.
She is survived by her husband of 66 years, Col. John W. Mitchell, USAF retired and her two daughters, Marja and Sally.
Her immediate family includes two brothers, Charles Martin O’Connor of Vero Beach, John Robert O’Connor of Port St. Lucie, her two grandchildren, Beth Morris Veigl of Cullman, Ala., Kathy Morris of Manhattan, New York, and son-in-law, Charles M. Morris of Decatur.
A memorial service will be held at Holy Cross Catholic Church at 11:30 a.m., Saturday April 24th, 2010.
Interment in John’s Island Cemetery will be at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the VNA and Hospice Foundation of Vero Beach, 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32960.
