Jerome "Jerry" Edward Mitchell

Jerome Mitchell

July 1, 1952 – November 18, 2021

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our Dad, Jerome (Jerry) Mitchell due to cancer.

Jerome is survived by his wife of 42 years, Lynda, his 5 children Jeannette (Jay), Kurt (Diana), Chris (Amada), Annie (Matt) and Brian. He is also survived by his grandchildren Russell, Charlotte, Xiomara, Alice, Axton, and James and his siblings Liz, Bill, Chris, Tom, Marty and Jannell.

The funeral Mass for Jerome will be on November 27th at 11am at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Lake Stevens. Masks are required for all in attendance ages 5 and up regardless of vaccination status and will be provided if needed.

Dad loved his Mariners, Huskies and Seahawks so feel free to dress comfortably in your gear.

Due to Covid restrictions, the reception will be limited to family only.

Private family graveside service will be held at Holyrood Catholic Cemetery, Shoreline, WA.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Evergreen-FH.com for the Mitchell family.

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BIOGRAPHY

Jerome Edward Mitchell (Jerry) was born July 1st, 1952, in Seattle, Washington, at Swedish Hospital, the fifth of seven children born to Mary and Conrad Mitchell. He was baptized as an infant at Saint Edward's Catholic Church in Seattle and attended St. Alphonsus grade school in Ballard through all his elementary school years. He then attended Ballard High School, where he learned to play the guitar, and he was a member of the Ballard Chorale singing tenor. The Chorale recorded an album and traveled to Chicago to perform, an experience Jerry talked about and treasured the rest of his life. Jerry graduated from Ballard High School in 1970 and was their senior class vice president. He attended trade school, where he learned to be a computer operator and worked at Nordstrom and Rainier Bank in that capacity for several years.

Jerry’s Catholic faith was always the center of his life. He contributed his musical talent to the church by singing with this good friend Joe Farrell at Blessed Sacrament Church at the beginning of “Folk Masses" and was part of the Music Ministry there throughout the early 1970s. Jerry bought his first home in the Queensborough neighborhood of Bothell. This was the beginning of a 45-year relationship with St. Brendan Catholic Church. He immediately joined the Saturday 5 p.m. guitar music group and continued his Music Ministry for ten years before later embracing Hospitality Ministry.

In January of 1978, a young nurse named Lynda began to attend the Saturday evening Mass, which Jerry sang and played guitar at and always sat near the choir singing along. Jerry noticed after a few months that she was always alone and that he could hear her harmonizing. He stayed after Mass one evening to ask her to join the group and told her to come to practice the following week. Lynda started singing with the group and eventually shared her story of completing her postulant year as a Sister of Providence and deciding to discern for a while. Jerry, with his unique sense of humor, began to try to get Lynda's attention by whispering to her at practice, “I think you were singing a little flat on that," to which Lynda stared right at him and stated, “I am never flat.” His brand of flirtation continued for several weeks until one day after Mass, Jerry asked Lynda out for pizza, and they talked for hours. The next date was on Memorial Day weekend of 1978, and from then on, they were inseparable. Even though Lynda worked full-time as a night nurse and Jerry worked business hours at the bank, they made it work. She slept during the day while he was at work, and he would come to her apartment for dinner when she was waking up. They would spend the evening together, and he would head home to sleep. On Lynda's 24th birthday, November 17th, 1978, Jerry proposed to Lynda, and she joyfully accepted. Jerry and Lynda were married at St Brendan's on December 15th, 1979, with Christmas trees and poinsettias decorating the altar and snow falling outside.

Jerry and Lynda had their first daughter, Jeannette, in August 1980, followed by Kurt in March 1982, Chris in October 1984, Annie in November 1987, and Brian in December 1990. Jerry was a completely hands-on Dad, complete with diaper duty, cleaning up baby puke, and nighttime lullabies, especially “Puff the Magic Dragon.” As the children began to grow up, they started playing Youth Sports. Jerry volunteered in many capacities, including the “Chain Gang” for Kurt and Brian's junior football games, and stepping up his as a basketball coach for Kurt, Chris, and Annie’s teams over the years. Jerry was a professional Seattle sports fan. He loved watching the Seahawks and Mariners and would cheer them on through all the ups and many downs. He was also a lifelong Huskies fan but started giving equal time to the Cougars when Kurt enrolled there. Jerry was incredibly proud that all five of his children graduated from college and that almost all play an instrument and sing. He loved attending Jeannette, Chris, and Annie’s various choir and band concerts. He was also so proud of his 20-year career with Boeing.

As the years passed, Jerry and Lynda’s children grew up and married. Jeannette to Jay in September 2008, Annie to Matt in 2014, and Chris to Amada in 2017. Jerry and Lynda have been blessed with six beautiful grandchildren: Russell (10), Charlotte (8), Xiomara (4), Alice (3), Axton (2), and James (1). Each of them is unique and brought Jerry so much joy. Even as Jerry’s health declined rapidly, he loved being a part of their lives and enjoyed singing them songs especially the silly ones he’d make up, reading them stories, and watching their favorite shows together.

Upon learning of his cancer diagnosis on November 13th, Lynda and all their children honored Jerry’s decision to pass away at home, serenaded by his favorite music. On November 18th, he went to his eternal home just five days later. He leaves behind a big, beautiful family and will be missed by all who love him. We will cherish all our precious memories until the day we meet again.