Patricia Jo Mitchell

Jan 11, 1946 -

Sep 29, 2022

On Sept. 29, 2022, our family lost a most beloved woman. Patricia Jo Mitchell, 76, of Anchorage, Alaska, a well-travelled woman who lived in and visited many wonderful places in this world, left for her perfect home in Heaven.

Pat lived her early years on her family's farm in Southern Illinois as the fourth of eight children. She shared with her daughters many stories of her life on the farm and it was easy to see how that time of her life shaped the hard-working, fun-loving, caring and straight-forward woman she was. She was a great storyteller, real or "made up", as her young daughters would ask her to tell, and was especially imaginative and entertaining. It's no surprise that a spirit like hers loved visiting far-away places and appreciating the beauty around her.

Besides enjoying travelling, she was an effortless and talented cook, was a marvel with her sewing machine and loved gardening. She wouldn't let someone go without being fed and could whip something up "no problem." She had a generous heart and would give you the shirt off her back if she didn't have time to make one for you. Her daughters and grandchildren are blessed to have quilts that she made especially for each of them, special treasures now. Her flower gardens are the talk of her neighborhood. Because they are just that lovely.

She was supportive of those she cared about and believed in the capability of anyone being able to do whatever they set their mind to. "Can't" was not in her vocabulary. She was someone we looked up to, despite her petite stature, and didn't seem to tire. She gave the best example of how to work hard and succeed by simultaneously raising 4 teenage daughters, working, and going to nursing school. Her caring nature led her to a decades long career of caring for and comforting others.

She was proud of her family and never missed an opportunity to brag about all her children, grandchildren, great-grandbabies, and her husband. She enjoyed calls with her kids, sisters, nieces, and nephews that weren't without laughter and a few playful insults. She loved us all dearly and made sure we knew how special we were to her. This included her pet cats who live spoiled lives.

Pat is survived by her loving husband, Jeff Michell; daughters, Amanda (Tim) Doyle, Michelle McGeath and Rebecca McGeath. She also leaves behind 10 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren; her sisters, Vennetta Joliff, Joy Battagliotti and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Tamara; brothers, Jeff Richards and Bill Richards; sisters, Sharon Riley, Linda Newman and Marsha Richards; and her parents, Leonard and Esta Richards.

There will be a private family remembrance in Hawaii where she and Jeff lived for many years, and she considered to be her home.

As she was known for her generosity, in lieu of flowers, the family requests that you perform an act of kindness for someone in need, or just to brighten someone's day, or honor her with a donation in her name to your favorite charity.