Betty Jane (Johnson) Mitchell was born in St. Paul, MN on Dec. 13, 1919 to Malcolm and Myrtle Abel Johnson. St. Paul would be her home for the first 26 years of her life. She was the middle child between older sister Dorathy and younger sister, Marion. Betty had a very happy childhood, especially liking dancing and skating as she grew older. When she graduated from high school, she attended Macalester College close to her home, and would complete her college education at the University of Minnesota, where she enjoyed being a member of the Chi Omega sorority.
With the onset of WWII in the 1940's, life changed for Betty as well as everyone else. She was in Chicago visiting a friend and went to Union Station to take a train ride back home. There she met a young 2nd Lieutenant named Warren "Mitch" Mitchell. They sat together all the way home to St. Paul, and decided that they wanted to write each other during the War. As Mitch went off to the Philippines, they continued their correspondence and love story. He returned on Christmas of 1945 as the war ended, and they were married on February 2nd, 1946, honeymooning in the warmer climate of New Orleans, LA.
Mitch and Betty lived in Fremont, Neb., St. Paul, and Long Island, NY, before settling in Long Beach, Calif., while he pursued a career in the newspaper advertising business. Most of their family years would be spent in Long Beach (1955 - 1980) where they raised their two sons, Richard "Dick" Allen and James "Jim" Warren. Not only did they enjoy the climate of Long Beach, but have fond memories of 3-week summer driving vacations visiting relatives in both Minnesota and California. Much time was also spent visiting National Parks and beautiful locations such as Lake Tahoe.
It was during the Long Beach years that Betty kept busy in multiple service organizations. She was a member of the Children's Home Society, where children were placed with other family members or in good family situations, which gave her great satisfaction. Betty also later volunteered at the Memorial hospital gift shop for many years. She made many good friends while providing these acts of service. Mitch and Betty were also active in the Presbyterian Church during this time.
After Betty's two sons grew up and left home, Mitch and Betty enjoyed playing bridge with friends, both achieving Life Master status, and started traveling. During the 1980's they were able to travel extensively, going on many cruises. On many of these cruises, they helped direct bridge games, and found great satisfaction in traveling with friends and playing bridge. These were very happy and joyous years for the two of them.
Betty's husband, Mitch, would unfortunately become ill in the early 1990's, and pass away in 1993. Two years later, she would move to Medford where she could be close to her son, Jim, and his wife, Nancy. She was familiar with a very nice retirement community there, the Rogue Valley Manor. She loved being close to her family and the life she lived at the Manor and was active in the Medford First United Methodist Church.
Betty celebrated her 100th birthday Dec. 13, 2019 at Rogue Valley Manor. A wonderful dinner was held there, and she was surrounded by her two sons and their wives, along with many grandchildren and two nieces. It was a terrific way to top off a very happy and complete life.
She would pass away only a month later, on Jan. 15, 2020. She has now returned to her beloved Mitch and many other family members and friends in the eternities. Hers was a life well lived, and she was grateful for the many blessings in her life.
Donations can be made to the Rogue Valley Manor Foundation or a charity of your choice.
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