Mary Virginia Mitchell

Our darling spouse, mother, “Granmary” and “Great Granmary” passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on December 26, 2016, the very day on which she and Charlie would have celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary.

Mary and Charlie recently moved to North Carolina from their home of 47 years in Belle Vernon, PA. Mary was very active in her community. She was an alto in the St. Sebastian Choir where she was a member for decades. She was the founder and life member of the Valley Garden Club and she delivered Meals on Wheels in the area for 40 years. She was also a member of the Soup Group.

Mary had the heart and soul of an artist. She was an enthusiastic and expert gardener. She shared her artistry by creating her beautiful wreathes, award-winning flower arrangements, loomed and hand-braided rugs, knitting, sewing and much more. She could teach herself to do anything. She was well known in area junk shops and was able to see beauty in what others considered trash. Their beautiful Belle Vernon home was her exhibit.

Her true love, in addition to her family and friends, was quilting. These intricate quilts, many of her own design, were all stitched by hand (and her stitches were very tiny). She completed one per year and these works of art are not only cherished by the family and friends that she shared them with, but were also the winners of many major awards.

Mary is survived by her husband, Charlie Mitchell, her children, Terri Straight Newton (John), Missy Yachup (Ted), and Father Irv Mitchell; her grandchildren Gretchen Cordray (Larry), Emily West (Jay) and Gray Yachup; and her great granddaughter Autumn Cordray, and her brother, Jim McCarty, as well as many nieces and nephews.

There will be a memorial mass celebrating Mary’s extraordinary life at her parish, St. Sebastian Catholic Church on Saturday, January 14 at 11AM, followed by a reception. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to The Alzheimer’s Association.

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