Patricia A. MitchellMadison-Patricia A. Mitchell, 82, passed away peacefully in her sleep, at her home, on Thursday, October 3, 2019.She was born in Binghamton on December 15, 1936, the daughter of the late Arthur and Lorna Bagley Relf. In 1948, Patricia's family moved to Madison and she graduated from Madison Central High School. On October 19, 1957, at St. Mary's Catholic Church of Hamilton, Patricia married her loving soulmate, James E. Mitchell, Jr. While in high school and in the early years of her marriage, Pat had been a waitress at Quack's Diner. She had also held positions at Colgate University, Utica Mutual Insurance Company, and the NYS Thruway Authority. She finished her working career at the United States Postal Service in Utica, retiring in 1996. Patricia enjoyed doing crossword puzzles and playing games that expanded her vocabulary such as scrabble and jeopardy. She loved to read and challenge her mind and wanted to be a teacher, and although she was not given the opportunity to go to college, she believed strongly in the importance of higher education and taught her children to read at an early age. Patricia had a great sense of humor and quick wit. She was also known for her compassion and selflessness, often taking others under her wing and nurturing them. Patricia loved to walk and spent many hours strolling in the Madison cemetery and around the village over the years. Patricia cherished being a mother and grandmother and took extreme pleasure in gathering her entire family together for holidays and reunions. She relished going on family vacations, especially to Disney World and the St. Lawrence River. She was a parishioner of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Oriskany Falls, N.Y. and a member of the Madison Historical Society and Erie Canal Association. She was also an active volunteer for the local lupus community for many years, working at awareness booths and events and even traveling to the state and federal capitols. Patricia was a devoted, loving, and wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother; she leaves behind a legacy of loving memories and will be greatly missed. Patricia is survived by soulmate of 62 years, James E. Mitchell, Jr.; her children, James E. Mitchell, III, and his wife Mary, of Centreville, VA, Kathleen Arntsen, and her husband David, of Verona, Timothy Mitchell, and his wife Deborah, of Clayton, and Daniel Mitchell and his wife Lisa, of Madison; her brothers, Alfred Relf, and his wife Sue, of North Carolina, and Gary Relf and his wife, Carrol, of Myrtle Beach, SC; 10 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.She was predeceased by her parents, Arthur and Lorna; her brothers, Louie Relf and Sam Relf; and her beloved granddaughter, Shawna Lynn Mitchell.A prayer service will be held at the Paul Funeral Home of Madison at 10:45 AM on Tuesday, October 8, 2019, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 AM, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church of Oriskany Falls, with the Rev. Vincent Kelly, as Celebrant. Interment will be at a later date in Madison Village Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to attend calling hours on Monday from 3-5 PM at the Paul Funeral Home 3592 South, Madison. To offer a condolence or share a memory, please visit: paulfuneralhome.net Memorials may be made to the Lupus and Allied Diseases Association, P.O. Box 170, Verona, N.Y. 13478 or the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 15829, Arlington, VA 22215. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.VisitationMonday, October 7, 2019 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Paul Funeral Home & Cremation Services - Madison
3592 South Street Madison 13402, United States
ServiceTuesday, October 8, 2019 11:30 AM
St. Joseph's Catholic Church
229 Main Street Oriskany Falls 13425, United States