Phyllis Mitchell

Phyllis McNamara Mitchell, born February 11, 1926, in Clinton, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully at home on July 24, 2022, with family by her side. She was 96. Phyllis was the oldest of seven loving and devoted brothers and sisters, Jane Morano (Joseph), Alice Scraggs (Jimmy), Raymond C. McNamara (Josie), Thomas J. McNamara, Sr. (Arlene), the late Martin H. (Buddy) McNamara III (Helen), and the late Everett (Brother) McNamara (Claire). She also leaves behind six sisters-in-law, Helen McNamara, Claire McNamara, Josie McNamara, Arlene McNamara, Lois Mitchell, and Shirley Mitchell. She was preceded in death by her parents, Martin H. McNamara, Jr., and Alice Hutchins McNamara; her husband, John Bernard Mitchell, Jr.; her son, Brian Paul Mitchell; and five grandchildren, Timothy Mitchell, Sean Haire, Paul Mitchell, John Mitchell IV, and Eric Bordelon. A child of the Depression who came of age in the World War II years, Phyllis learned then about sacrifice for the family, working during her lunches in high school and helping care for her “baby” brothers, Ray and Tom. Like so many of her generation, it was during those war years that she became an enduring fan of singer Frank Sinatra. Phyllis’ true love, however, was her beloved husband, John. Phyllis and John met in the mid-1940s when Phyllis, as a human resources worker, accepted his application as a new employee at the Blackstone Plush factory in Clinton. Their yearslong courtship included extended absences while John lived in Arizona and California to ease his asthma and avoid the winters of the Northeast, but their love persevered. That chance encounter at work had brought together two soulmates and formed a bond that never broke, even after John died in 1977 at age 57. Phyllis and John married on May 19, 1951, at St. John the Guardian of Our Lady Catholic Church in Clinton. In the first months after their marriage, Phyllis and John toured New England on weekends before they moved to New Orleans, Louisiana, in the fall of 1951 for the warmer climate, new opportunities, and the adventure of their lives, together. Phyllis had grown up with the leafy hills and mountains of north-central Massachusetts. When she arrived in Louisiana by car along Chef Menteur Highway in 1951, she never forgot the shock of seeing, for the first time, the expanse of swampland on either side of the highway. Louisiana became home, however. Surviving and rebuilding after severe flooding from Hurricane Betsy in 1965, they endured and raised 4 children in the Pines Village neighborhood of Gentilly East, David John Mitchell (Terri), Marilyn Mitchell Kruebbe (Gerald), the late Brian Paul Mitchell (Pam), who died in 1986, and John Bernard Mitchell III (Rosalyn). Phyllis was blessed with 13 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren, all of whom she loved dearly and for whom she always had opened up her home when any was in need. Helping the next generation in her community learn to read and excel, Phyllis taught 2nd grade at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic School in Pines Village and was a Brownie and Girl Scout Leader of Troop 362 for many happy years. Wherever she lived, Phyllis remained always a proud Irishwoman and Yankee at heart and made sure her children and grandchildren born in Louisiana knew their Massachusetts roots with frequent summer trips to New England, be it train, plane, or Greyhound bus. Following Hurricane Katrina in 2005, which brought another devasting flood to her home 40 years after Hurricane Betsy, Phyllis relocated to Daphne, Alabama, with her daughter, Marilyn’s family. A devout Roman Catholic her entire life, Phyllis became a steady member of her adopted faith community in Alabama, Christ the King Catholic Church. She spent her remaining years in Alabama with frequent visits back to Louisiana and Massachusetts. No family could ask for a more loving and devoted Daughter, Wife, Mother, Nana, Sister, Aunt, and friend. Her full, high laugh, her constant energy, and willingness to try new things and keep going led to a vibrant life that remained always positive, despite many personal tragedies in the untimely deaths of several of her grandchildren; her son, Brian; and her beloved husband, John. Her example of selfless love and staunch loyalty to family leaves behind a legacy cherished by her siblings; many nieces, nephews, and cousins from Massachusetts, with whom she shared a special bond with over the years; and many loving friends across the country. The family wishes to thank Tamitko Meardry and Shenikka Traylor for their care and companionship, and the gentle staff of Kindred Hospice for their exceptional care in her final days. A special thanks to Tara Sealy and Donna Taylor Loose, her nurses. Visitation and Mass will be on Saturday, August 20th at 10:00 AM at Christ the King Catholic Church, 1505 Main Street, Daphne, AL 36526. A celebration of life will be held at Assumption Hall immediately following the Mass. A gravesite memorial will be held in Metairie Cemetery in New Orleans, La., at a later date for immediate family.

Phyllis Mitchell

July 24, 2022

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Phyllis Mitchell

July 24, 2022

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information

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