Waltraut Mizell

Mizell, Waltraut Hornbostel Pemberton Farrar 1930-2025 Born on July 21, 1930 to Magdalene and Hermann Hornbostel in Bergen Kr. Celle, Germany. A longtime resident of Canada and the United States, Waltraut (Waldi) made homes in Nashville and Boca Raton, Florida. Waldi is predeceased by her parents, brother Hermann, sister Magdalene (Magda), nephew Gerd and husbands - Frank Pemberton, Rudolph (Rudy) Farrar and Andrew (Andy) Mizell. She is survived by German nieces, nephews and their families, stepfamilies in Canada and Nashville and friends in Nashville and Florida. Waldi grew up in Germany during the difficult years of World War II. Her Brother Hermann II was recruited to serve in the German army and became a British war prisoner until 1950. Her older sister Magda served in a medical capacity during the war. Her father Hermann I was old and wise enough to keep out of Nazi activities. After the war, he was nominated by the British liberators to be the first mayor of Bergen/Celle. Waldi's good friend, Dr. Frank Boehm wrote about Waldi in his published book "Is Your Life Successful?". While being interviewed for that book, Waldi told Dr. Boehm that "she was very lucky to have had affluent, loving, and wonderful parents who watched over her and had her live with them until she was thirty-two. During that time, she obtained a college degree in language and gained employment at NATO, a job she truly loved." Her first husband, Frank Pemberton, was Canadian. They met on board the QE2 and when they married Waldi moved with him to Canada. Frank died in 1982 and Waldi managed his businesses until they were sold. After a chance meeting in Florida, she married Rudolph (Rudy) Farrar and became an American citizen. They shared homes in both Nashville and Florida. Sadly, Rudy died in 1999. Waldi's third and last husband was Andrew (Andy) Mizell of Nashville. He died of a sudden heart attack in 2017. Waldi was not blessed with children of her own but enjoyed stepchildren in Canada and Nashville and many generations of family in Germany. In Dr. Boehm's book she is quoted as saying "I try to always do the right thing in life, and one of those things is to help others in need. I have given of my resources to a large variety of individuals and causes ....". Adding "Because I have a large number of friends and family and because I have been lucky enough to help others in need, I believe my life has been a successful one." Waldi travelled extensively during her life and enjoyed friends from all over the world. A former Lutheran, Waldi was a member of St. George's Episcopal Church. Other memberships included Belle Meade County Club, Centennial Club and The Royal Palm Yacht and Country Club. Waldi's 93rd birthday was the last one she celebrated at her home in Nashville among many friends and family. Unable to live alone any longer, a year later she moved into a senior home in Bellevue where she died peacefully in her sleep on August 14, 2025. Services and burial will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery, 608 Mt. Hope Street, Franklin, TN 37064 on August 21, 2025, at 10.00 AM. In lieu of flowers, please feel free to donate in Waldi's honor to Alive Hospice, the YMCA of Middle Tennessee, the Nashville Dolphins or a charity of your choosing. Grateful thanks and much appreciation is extended to the staff at Alive Hospice and at the Harmony at Bellevue for the respectful and loving care they extended to Waldi during the final months of her life.