LUCAS: Sondra Mitchell, a woman of quiet strength and unwavering love, passed away unexpectedly on July 21, 2024. An introvert with a rich inner life and passion for lovely things, she never minced words or failed to shower those around her with joy. She leaves behind her a many-branched family tree, whose branches are forever strengthened by her devotion and affection.
Born on April 17, 1941 to Clarence H. and Jean (Ireland) Stewart, Sondra enjoyed a childhood in Mansfield alongside her sister, Karen. She graduated from Mansfield Senior High School before meeting her husband-to-be Edward Mitchell at the Liederkranz while he was home on leave from the Navy. The couple married on October 14, 1960 and together welcomed five children into their family. Together, they were active members of Berean Baptist Church where they found joy in their shared love of Christ. They spent nearly 64 years together, through trials and adulation.
Sondra loved without reservation or prerequisites, and though she bestowed her adoration upon many, it did not diminish the depth of her warmth. She welcomed many of her childrens’ peers into her home with an embrace, often becoming a “second mom” to them. Her fondness for beauty permeated throughout all aspects of her life, beyond enjoying the grace of family bonds. Her creativity was often poured into fiber arts, such as quilting and needlepoint, painting, and puzzles. She savored the beach, and while she and her daughters enjoyed “girls’ trips” together Sondra also loved cruises with her beloved Ed. She never failed to collect artifacts of their journeys. Her meticulous archiving of their vacations even now demonstrates her boundless love for her family. Her attention to detail and desire to create collections of memories was evident not only in the files she created following trips, but also in painstaking spreadsheets of her family members, including birth and marriage dates. Naturally, Sondra was the family historian, and uncovered volumes of family history back hundreds of years. Always looking to create a record of the love and devotion she had for her family, Sondra never passed on an opportunity to create an archive or design a spreadsheet where her precious memories and family history could stay safe for generations yet to come.
Sondra is held in beloved memory by many members of her large family, including her husband, Edward Mitchell; children Darlene (Jerry) Witzky, Diane Mitchell (Larry Baxter), Debra (Marc) Van Tilburg, Denise (Ward) Ulery, and Douglas Mitchell; grandchildren Tyler (Annie) Witzky, Jacob (Candice) Witzky, Adam (Rachel) Cox, Brian (Kendall) Cox, Nicolas Sites, Kalie Sites, Jessica Lape, Kyle Lape, Nicole (Michael) Bohan, Brittany (Stephen) Knipp, Jayme Mitchell, Zakery Godare, Colton (Taylor) Ulery, and Mason Mitchell; great-grandchildren Daniel, Josephine, Nora Sue, Nolan, Carter, Cole, Cayden, Lizzy, Nash, Nora, Haidyn, Payton, Carmen, Chase, Hazel, and Harley; her sister Karen (Phil) Bachelder; and many, many more beloved members of her extended family and friends.
Sondra is predeceased by her parents, Clarence and Jean Stewart, and grandson Ryan Lape.
Sondra’s family invites those who love her to join them for calling hours from 4 to 6:30pm on Friday, July 26, 2024 at Snyder Funeral Homes, Lexington Avenue Chapel. A funeral service will be conducted by Pastor Jim Berry at 6:30pm.
Snyder Funeral Homes is honored to care for Sondra and her family during this time.
Funeral Home: Snyder Funeral Homes, Lexington Avenue Chapel
Website: snyderfuneralhomes.com