Eileen Janette Mitchell

Eileen Janette Wilson Mitchell passed away on February 12, 2018 at the mature age of 102 years. Her life covered a span of two world wars, economic prosperity and depression, and 18 presidents (but only five Chevrolets). She was self-driven and self-reliant, whether living on her own or with family members. She always was occupied.

She was raised in Victoria, B.C. by her father, aunts and uncles after her mother passed away when she was just three. Later the family re-settled in Oakland, CA where she eventually attended business college and began her work-life at age 16. As a Canadian citizen she joined the Navy WAVES and served at Pearl Harbor, Washington, D.C. and Bremerton/Seattle. Like so many others after 1945, Eileen found a husband, George Mitchell, and built a family. Three boys were born in 1949 (William), 1950 (George), and 1951 (Eric) and raised in the Wedgwood area of Seattle. The family ran a local grocery store until her husband died in 1965, when afterwards she raised them on her own (where her frugality proved beneficial). She always found a way to make it work.

She had a unique perspective on life and a unique way of displaying it. She fought through cancer, broken hips and vision impairments - and just kept going. She was constantly engaged in her grandchildren's lives with encouragement, correction, concern and time. Grandma touched a lot of lives.