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Mitchell Family Newsletter
"Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set." Proverbs 22:28
REUNION
September 1999
Vol. 20 ISSN 1185-6211 No. 2| Eileen (Mitchell) MacMillan5 (William Noble3, Samuel2), 490 Viewmount Drive, Ste.205, Nepean, Ontario, K2E 8A8 Tel.: (613) 225-2979 |
| Karyn (Andrews) Kondro6 (Alexander3, William2), Box 10, Site 1, R.R. #2, St. Albert, Alberta, T8N 1M9 Tel.: (403) 973-5508 karyn.kondro@ei.educ.ab.ca |
| Grant Ackney6 (Alexander3, William2), Box 563, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 5R3 Tel:(250)352-9990 Fax:(250)352-9950 E-mail mitchellnews@writeme.com |
| Debbie (Lawson) Mitchell (Daniel6, William Noble3, Samuel2), 2082 Blue Ridge Cr., Pickering, ON, L1X 2N3 Tel.: (905) 619-8019 |
| Pam (Jones) Mitchell (Kenneth H.R.6, William Noble3, Samuel2), 174 Oakridge Blvd., Nepean, Ontario, K2G 2V2 Tel.: (613) 225-1435/Fax: (613) 225-0130/E-mail: pgmitch@cyberus.ca |
It doesn’t seem like September - it is HOT, HUMID and RAINY. Up until last week we were complaining about lack of rain and it has poured every day since. Either feast or famine. Everything was early this year - we had a very warm spring, a hot summer which is still continuing. The trees in the Gatineau Hills are already showing signs of an early fall. From one week to the next there are marked changes in the colours of the leaves. People are saying our glorious fall colours won’t be so spectacular this year because of the lack of rain. They could be right - the rain we are getting now might just be too little too late.
Had a message from the 2001 reunion committee and they are very keen. There will be an article later in the newsletter. Don’t forget to mark your vacation calendar for British Columbia in 2001!
We were honoured, once again, to be able to host two students from Up With People. One cast was here in October for their regular tour which comes through Ottawa usually every two years. This time another cast was here as guests of the National Capital Commission to perform two outdoor shows at our Tulip Festival in May. It was great to see them in a different setting - we always like to celebrate our autumn with the regular tour but this time we had the wonderful bright colours of millions of tulips to enjoy. We hosted one advance team member - Linn Stokkland who was from Norway, for 3½ weeks, and then she was joined by one
cast member, Johanna Tuomaala from Finland, for nearly a week. We have a marvellous picture display of their visit with us - including a very special one of Johanna in her Finnish national costume. Both have since completed their tour and are attending universities in England and Finland respectively. It is always a thrill to have young people from the Up With People organization in our midst and we take away much more than we give in the hosting experience. In July Linn came back for another visit, this time bringing her parents with her. We had a marvellous time. They were with us over the Canada Day holiday and we were able to take in all the festivities on Parliament Hill as well as the fireworks display at night (in the POURING rain!). We can honestly say we have never been as wet as we were that night but everyone was having such a wonderful time that nobody noticed the rain - mind you, everybody was in the same boat, so to speak, and as we couldn’t do anything about it, just took it in stride. Linn’s Dad managed to take home a good old fashioned Canadian cold out of it but he was the only casualty and he was a great sport about it. We did all the tourist things we only get a chance to do when visitors are with us. Ottawa has so much to see and we enjoy showing it off. We also spent some quiet time relaxing at the cottage with them. Linn was anxious to show her parents all the spots that we had been with her and Johanna. We can only hope that we will be able to visit with both Johanna and Linn and their families again in the future.
Ken started back to school last week for his "last" first day! He is retiring in June after 34 years in the profession. This will be a memorable year for him but we are both looking forward to his retirement during the millennium year! Then --- I am going to put him to work in MY company! I need a low-cost go-fer!
We had a couple of interesting experiences this summer - had an e-mail message from a lady who found our newsletter through the National Library of Canada - she was looking for her Mitchell roots. I was unable to locate any connection for her except that she is also related to the Lusk family which is indeed a branch of our Mitchell clan through marriage. We don’t know if there is a connection but who knows - perhaps we have found more cousins!
Another experience happened this past weekend while Ken was a competitor in the horseshoe tournament at the Rupert Fair. It is held every year in September - the same spot the horseshoe contest was held at the reunion. One of the other fellows throwing, Barry "Butch" Young, introduced himself to Ken and it turns out he is married to one of the Higgins branch counsins, Gayle Higgins5 (William3, Jane2) of Wakefield, Quebec. We have had them on our mailing list for many years but until then had no other contact. It was a thrill to meet him and hopefully they will be a part of a future reunion.
I hope that this newsletter won’t be too long getting to you - I have had a couple of weeks from ?*@!^... and that’s putting it mildly!!! We had a major computer failure and in the process lost everything off my hard drive. Many long, late hours have been spent resurrecting all our files and programs. Now it seems that whatever was ailing the computer has been passed to the laser printer and now it is needing repair. The joys of computers! To add insult to injury, the fax machine broke down this week and it is "in the shop". We really don’t realize just how dependent we have become on them.
Now I have to get really serious - HELP!!! - Is there ANYBODY out there who would like to take on the main editorship of the Newsletter??? It isn’t a terrible job - it is lots of fun and very rewarding. I think that after 20 years it is time for new blood. PLEASE - if you can take it on, I would be very grateful and I guarantee that I would offer as much assistance as possible. Thanks.
Pam (Jones) Mitchell Nepean, Ontario
(Kenneth H.R.6, William Noble3, Samuel2)
Well, September is here again, can’t believe how fast that summer went. It was a very busy one for all of us. My summer started off on a very sad note. I received a call from my mom the end of May informing me that my Gram, Dora Wolfe, was not well. I took the last week of work off and Devin and I took off for Manitoba. We had a very uneventful drive, 12 hours from my door to the front of Brandon General Hospital. We all spent the next 8 days taking turns sitting with Gram 24 hours a day. June 21st she let herself go to be with Grandpa and Aunt Helen. Watching her slip away day by day was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do, however, my comfort came from the fact she said she didn’t want to be alone and she never was. Uncle Mel, Mom and I were there with her at the end. She was buried on my brother Darryl’s birthday, June 24th. She would have been 93 in November. When we were at the burial we walked around Madford Cemetery to visit other relatives. We came up to Grandma McLean’s tombstone, Gram’s mom, death date June 21st, buried June 24th, 1966, 33 years to the date of Gram’s. Weird eh? Gram had 10 grandchildren, 7 of us from Alberta, and all were in attendance.
Well, on to a lighter note since I have everyone bummed out now. Len had an opportunity to attend a seminar in Blaine, Washington. It was an Internal Operations Conference with Blue Cross. We decided we would make it a little holiday for the two of us. We packed the van and off we went on our way. We drove to Nelson, B.C. and stayed with cousins Grant, Bonnie and Melanie. Now if anyone wants a good time, hang out with these kids. Fun from the time we got there until we left. Great host and hostesses. Thanks kids, we’ll never be able to repay you for your hospitality. One evening we drove to Castlegar and had a fabulous dinner with Auntie Grace, and it just happened Liz and Vel and family were there from Calgary. It was like a mini reunion. Fun times. Well, the family fun had to end and off we went to Blaine. We stayed at Semi-Ah-Moo Resort, very nice place. It is directly across the bay from Whiterock, B.C. Len had a great conference, made lots of contacts and I shopped. We stayed there 3 nights then off to Alberta we went. It was a great 10 days. After a couple of weeks at home, Len, Jay, Devin and I packed up our tent trailer and took off to Meadow Lake in northwestern Saskatchewan for a week of relaxing and fun times. We went with our best buds from here, actually in all there was about 20 of us camping. The weather was fabulous, the beaches sandy and the boats a flying. Speaking of flying, Len and Jay went parasailing. Talk about having your heart in your throat watching your 10 year old 340 feet in the air being pulled by a boat. Needless to say I was quite happy when he landed. It ended up that Jay was the youngest and Len the oldest to go up. Crazy people.
Mom and Dad spent a couple of weeks with us and were here for Devin’s 6th birthday, August 29th. Mom and Dad spent every few evenings phoning home to see how the Ora Dental Marlins of the Manitoba Senior Baseball League were doing, after all they are their number 1 fans and they weren’t there. They were down 3 games to 1 in a best of 7 and ended up winning the championship. (Something no other team has ever accomplished.) The team is managed by my brother Neil and my other brother Darryl (get it?) is the coach. My nephew Nathan is back catcher and he got a two run homer to help the team win 8-2 over the Birtle Blue Jays. The win gives them the Senior Baseball League championship, the Provincial Championship and entitles them to go to the Nationals next year. Quite obviously we are all very proud of the gang. The Marlins are on a website if anyone is interested - it is: www.msbl.mb.ca Take a peek.
Mom phoned Berta Mitchell and learned that their family had set up a tent, cooked a pig on a spit, and lots of other goodies to celebrate Ken and Berta’s 50th anniversary. Myland Mitchell, best man, and Kay (Coulter) Stout attended the bride and groom 50 years ago on November 23rd and were in attendance. It was a dual occasion with the Coulter Family Reunion (Berta’s family) held the day after the anniversary. Berta also said they have a darling wee great granddaughter "Kennedy Lynn" born March 30th to Scott and Candace Mikeljohn. Proud grandparents are Patti and Wes Gray of Spruce Grove, Alberta. Ken and Berta’s grandson, Luke Kowalczyk, son of Marcie and Ben Kowalczyk, graduated from high school this spring and will attend Northern Alberta Institute of Technology this fall.
Mom’s Uncle, my Great Uncle Fred Wolfe died August 21st. He was 91 on August 4th. He and the late Stanley Mitchell of Grande Prairie were great pals as boys and it was a friendship which lasted until Stanley’s death. Mom and Dad had a nice visit at Alf and Verna Mitchell’s with Elsie Balmer when she and her daughter, Faye Hextall, visited Brandon where Faye attended a reunion of St. Michael’s Academy. Elsie phoned Dad and Mom to offer her condolences because she and brothers Alf, Fraser, and Irvin were students when my Gram taught at Elton School in 1926. Elsie and Gram kept up their friendship until this year. I believe Myland and Marjorie Mitchell were students of Gram’s too. So, the Wolfe’s and the William and Samuel branches of the Mitchell clan have had their lives intertwined ever since 1914 when William and Kathleen Wolfe came to Canada from Ireland with my Grandpa and his brothers. Alexander and Elizabeth Mitchell were the first ones to welcome them to Canada.
Other cousins to visit Manitoba were Gail and Chuck Kilbank of Logan, B.C. and Jean and Grant Mitchell of Kenora, Ontario. Mabel Mitchell’s brother, Jim Clark, passed away August 28th of this year, so it has been a sad time for all.
My nephew Nathan spent 5 years in Mayville, N.D. and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree with a major in Phys. Ed. My niece Tara will be attending Brandon University, 3rd year in Education. My nephew Ryan will be attending Brandon University in his first year in Computer Science. My nephew Jeff, who just turned 14 on August 17th, is attending W.D. Cuts School, Grade 9, and is involved in volleyball during the winter and of course baseball all summer. I wish them luck in all their endeavours.
Well, once home things had to be done. Flower beds had the invasion of weeds and the garden needed lots of work. Didn’t take me too long to get things back into shape, except for me that is. I had missed several soccer games being in Manitoba for 2 weeks and away another 18 days, so needless to say I was a little sluggish the first few practices. Our classics ladies team ended up in 4th. Not bad for us. We have playoffs September 18th and 19th, once that is over we begin indoor soccer again. Jay, Devin and I all played outdoor soccer and Len played ball. Jay and I are registered in indoor for this fall, Len is returning to badminton, and Devin, well, not sure what he’ll do as yet. Jay has returned to school taking Grade 5, Devin in Grade 1. I have started my second year at Fort Saskatchewan High School, and judging from the first week I am going to have one very difficult year. We have some very severe behaviour students this semester. Yahoo!
Well, I started to reread this letter and it is more like a novel. Of course, if you hadn’t noticed a lot of this was my mom’s notes I had to transcribe from a miniature notepad. If I have messed up some of the facts, I apologize. Remember, you western folk, if you have any info you want to share you can send it to me and I’ll get it in for you. I will sign off saying I wish everyone happiness and health. Have a great holiday season and I’ll catch you all in 2000.
Love to all,
Karyn (Andrews) Kondro6 St. Albert, Alberta
(Alexander3, William2)
Do you ever wake up in the morning and wonder what the day will bring? What made your day yesterday? While it was still the day before, did you make plans for this day? -- and will tomorrow hold something exciting?
Being busy, I think, has always been part of the Canadian culture. When our Canada was being born there wasn’t enough daylight hours to do all the things that were necessary to keep body and soul together.
From the very earliest dawn, the immigrant pioneer was clearing the bush to build a home, or digging stones from the fields to plant a crop. In many instances when one did not live close to water, wells must be dug, many times unsuccessfully, to provide families with this precious liquid. Today, a well may be drilled and water found in a matter of hours! Many old wells were just holes in the ground with a rough cover made of old boards, and a long rope onto which you tied a pail and dipped it to fill it. Imagine drawing water in this fashion to do the weekly laundry, or baths for a large family, not to mention the daily cooking and cleaning. Just imagine how much time out of one day for that chore alone. Now we put our laundry into a machine, set a few buttons and forget it. Five minutes’ work!
So what do we do with the time we gained? Get the children up, dress, wash, clean teeth, pack for school - who eats breakfast at home anymore? Rush, rush, rush, out to work, drop the kids off at school or day care centre, constantly watching the clock; a little bit late - use the cellular phone to advise someone to do what you were supposed to be doing; now you’ve covered that contingency you just might be able to squeeze in just one more errand. It isn’t even noon and you’re bushed!
Now consider springtime of the year. The land must be plowed and prepared for planting. If our pioneers were fortunate to have a horse and plow he would follow the horse and hold the plow firmly so he would have nice straight rows; this of course if the weather was favourable. Just as an example, imagine the farmer was able to clear one acre of his land, try to think about the length of time it would take to plant one acre, considering the many steps involved to get those seeds to take root? Just go to the supermarket and in half an hour you can fill your freezer for a month! But you haven’t the time for cooking and preparing. You must push yourself at work above and beyond because this is your new life that has taken control of you. Is there pleasure in this kind of work?
I’m sure a great many of us has visited an honest-to-God farmer who talked of their work, and their land, and their animals, and their families, and their church and never once did they complain of the hours they put in or how very hard it was. They were always looking forward to tomorrow to harvest that field, or cut some logs for fencing, or repair some barn, or repair a plow, or take "the wife to town", all in a calm and placid mood.
Consider the hot summer months when all the wild apples and berries grew profusely. The time was short so they must be harvested quickly. You set out as soon as the dew was off the grass, with pails and baskets and filled them all with wild strawberries; then to home and sorting and making jam and preserves for the winter. Oh what a proud and happy wife and mother. HEY, wait - that’s just the beginning! The kitchen garden had to be planted and tended and weeded and watered continually. Then there’s the raspberries, blackberries, gooseberries and blueberries, all wild and plentiful if you’re lucky. These were always prepared for the winter over a hot cook stove during the hot summer time, and this went on every day as long as the fruit was there to pick. They would always have to be looked after the day they were picked because without refrigeration they would rot. Today in ten minutes we can have lovely fruit in the middle of February!
Consider clothing, bed linens, kitchen and table cloths. Today we can supply a complete house with all the required linen in an hour in the appropriate store. What are we doing with all the time we gained? Are we enjoying it or do we feel compelled to ALWAYS be looking for something else to fill our time?
I remember my Mom made all the clothes we wore, summer and winter, and with 12 children she didn’t go to bingo! Mom dressed each of us until we were earning our own way and even then we preferred her dressmaking. Many, many nights I would wake up and hear the sewing machine and she didn’t have an electric machine until my oldest brother was 11 or 12, and by that time there was either 8 or 9 of us. To this day I claim my mother the best seamstress in the world.
Today it hardly pays one to make a garment. Certainly clothes are expensive to buy, but to purchase quality fabric that is worth your efforts, not to mention the sewing notions required, zippers, buttons, thread and expensive patterns. You’re just as far ahead to buy it off the rack.
Now, if we’re not making our clothes, washing our clothes, ironing our clothes, growing our food, preparing our meals, what are we doing with our time? Certainly our homes are easy to keep clean with all the modern conveniences - oh, I forgot - we hire a cleaning lady!
We tell ourselves today that we are doing what we always wanted to do - have a career, go back to school, be an entrepreneur. We know that those people are in the minority. The majority are pushing themselves to their limit to just get by. Just a few more years of this and then I’ll have time to enjoy the kids, go for picnics, play ball, do my scrapbook, read to my heart’s content and listen to other people’s conversations. That’s your future, but time doesn’t stop waiting for you to finish what you thought was what you always wanted to do.
The children have grown, the house is too big and maybe you’re alone and there’s no one to go on a picnic with. Our whole world is going at one HELL of a rate and we get caught up in it and think we must speed up too. I’ve been retired for 17 years and I always said I didn’t want my days to be structured or organized. I’d had enough of that while I was working. Well, would you believe, here I am in my 81st year and I’m still looking to the future. I know some days I should slow down, but I don’t want to miss anything! If I can’t be happy being busy till the Lord calls me, then I should be ashamed to call myself a descendant of my wonderful immigrant pioneer forefathers.
Now - look to the future and have a fruitful day. May your harvest be bountiful!
Till next time, with Love
H. Eileen (Mitchell) MacMillan5
Nepean, Ontario
(William Noble3, Samuel2)But I can thaw in record time, A feast fit for a King,
And if you order in advance, I’ll serve you anything.
I bless my frozen food supply, And all the treats it makes,
But, oh, I wonder what I’ll do If my freezer ever breaks.
Submitted by:
Betty (Rogers) Mitchell
(Stanley C.5, William Noble3, Samuel2)
Ottawa, Ontario
Greetings from
The West Coast Mitchell’s are hosting the 2001 Mitchell Family Reunion July 13-15, 2001. We hope you will plan your summer to include the 2001 Mitchell Family Reunion which will be held in the Lower Mainland of beautiful British Columbia. Plans are still tentative at this stage but we will keep you posted of developments through the newsletter. For those who would like to spend some time either before or after the reunion, please call us for more information or e-mail me at sgmitch@ninaimo.ark.com Thank you.
George Mitchell6 Carol (Mitchell) Malysh6
(Alexander3, Samuel2) (Alexander3, Samuel2)
Parksville, B.C. Delta, B.C.
Tel.: (250) 752-3982 Tel.: (604) 946-2254
Stan Mitchell Memorial Golf Tournament - 1999
Again this year the Stan Mitchell Memorial Golf Tournament was held at the Pontiac Golf Club in East Aldfield, Quebec, on Wednesday, July 14th. There was a wonderful turnout - 72 signed up for golf and 80 sat down for dinner afterwards. A special thank you to Dad’s golfing "buddies" - the West End Duffers - who turned out in full force along with many family members. Prizes were donated by many people and everyone who golfed went home with a prize. The day was beautiful - the sun shone, the breezes were light and refreshing, the golf was competitive and lots of fun, and the barbecued steak was fantastic. Another special thank you needs to go out to John Bond (Donna Mitchell6) of Mississauga, Ontario, who donated 4 new trophies for the tournament - thanks John - they were terrific. The large overall trophy remains at the Pontiac Golf Club and will be engraved with the names of this year’s winners. Family winners included low net for ladies - 2nd - Sharon (Killeen) Rouatt6, 3rd - Nancy (Campbell) Moore6 and low gross for men - 3rd - John Bond (Donna Mitchell6). Congratulations everyone! Remember - if any of you are in the Ottawa area in mid-July - let us know if you would like to play in the tournament. Dad would love it! And so would we!
The Family of Stan Mitchell5 (William Noble3, Samuel2)
Nepean, Ontario
Left to Right: Ken Mitchell6,Trophy winners - Joe Corkery,Georgina
Hanna,Barb Janssens,Paul Timmons ,Betty (Rogers) Mitchell (Stanley C.5)and Donna Mitchell6
Engagements and Weddings
Ilona Karme6 (Samuel3, Samuel2) and Nick Scalisi were married in June 1998 in California. Ilona is daughter of Valerie (Ackerman) Lewis5 of Perth, Western Australia.
Kim Sigurdson7 (Henry3, William2) and Trevor Scott Kruger were married on January 14, 1999 at Oak Lake, Manitoba. Kim is daughter of Beryl (Mitchell) Williams6 of Oak Lake, and granddaughter of Irene (Wardle) Mitchell (Cleland5) of White Rock, B.C.
Jennifer Lynn Moore7 (Isabella3, William2) and Ian Michael Stewart were married on May 8, 1999 at Pt. Coquitlam, B.C. Jennifer Lynn is daughter of Brian6 and Elaine (Holling ) Moore and granddaughter of Bob and Dorothy5 (Moore) Moore of Abbotsford, B.C.
Kevin Wayne Mahnke8 (William3, Jane2) and Sheri Ann Lindsay were married on July 10, 1999 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Kenossee Lake, Saskatchewan. Kevin is son of Ron and Lois7 (Williscroft) Mahnke of Lampman, Saskatchewan, and grandson of Evelyn (Mundell) Williscroft6 of Moosomin, Saskatchewan. Sheri is daughter of Jack and Mary Ann Lindsay of Kenossee Lake, Saskatchewan. Kevin and Sheri have bought a home in Fort Qu’Appelle, Saskatchewan where they are managing the Fort Qu’Appelle Subway outlet and Kevin is doing the computer administration for another four outlets. They are planning to finish their schooling via correspondence and computer modem.
Little Cousins
Tatiana Nicole Scalisi7 (Samuel3, Samuel2) was born to Nick and Ilona6 (Karme) Scalisi on July 19, 1998 in California, granddaughter for Valerie (Ackerman) Lewis5 of Perth, Western Australia.
Dawson Reid Lytle8 (Sara3, Samuel2) was born to Dwayne7 and Lorianne (Goderis) Lytle on October 5, 1998 at Winnipeg, Manitoba, grandson for Edwin6 and Denise Lytle of Swan Lake, Manitoba.
Kennedy Lynn Mikeljohn8 (Alexander3, William2) was born to Scott and Candace7 (Gray) Mikeljohn on March 30, 1999, granddaughter for Wes and Patti6 (Mitchell) Gray of Spruce Grove, Alberta, and great granddaughter for Ken5 and Roberta (Coulter) Mitchell of Spruce Grove.
Austin Trevor Avgoustis8 (Isabella3, William2) was born to Jim and Tammy7 (Cook) Avgoustis on June 8, 1999 at Fort McMurray, Alberta, grandson of Trevor and Judy6 (Moore) Cook of Fort McMurray, Alberta, and great grandson for Bob and Dorothy5 (Moore) Moore of Abbotsford, B.C.
Jeffrey Andrew Musson8 (Henry3, William2) was born to Andrew and Tracy7 (Balding) Musson on July 24, 1999 at Leduc, Alberta, grandson for Glenn and Shirley6 (Mitchell) Balding of Leduc, and great grandson for Irene (Wardle) Mitchell (Cleland5) of White Rock, B.C.
Orval6 and Evelyn (Sheane) Mitchell (Henry3, William2) of Calgary, Alberta, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on July 23, 1999. Their family surprised them with a nice supper at the Bonavista Inn, along with some old friends. Three of the grandchildren were not able to attend but telephoned. The girls put their wedding picture in the paper and asked for a card shower due to their health. Congratulations!
Ron and Lois7 (Williscroft) Mahnke (William3, Jane2) of Lampman, Saskatchewan, celebrated their 25th anniversary on August 3rd, 1999. A family get-together to celebrate was held on August 7th at the home of Evelyn (Mundell) Williscroft6 in Moosomin, Saskatchewan. Congratulations!
Ken5 and Roberta (Coulter) Mitchell (Alexander3, William2) of Spruce Grove, Alberta, celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on November 23rd, 1999. Congratulations!
Loren Albert Allen,
husband of Eileen (Kellington) Allen6 (William Noble3, Samuel2), passed away on March 1st,
1999 in Phoenix, Arizona. He was 53 years old. Loren was father to Mark7 and Penny7
(Allen) Johnson, and grandfather to Amber Rae Allen8. Loren was also son-in-law of Katie
(McClelland) Kellington5 of Rochester, Minnesota.
Dorothy Lydia (Martin) Mitchell, wife of Lester Mitchell5 (Alexander3,
Samuel2) passed away on March 7, 1999, after a long struggle with Parkinson’s
Disease. Dorothy was born May 23, 1920 at New Sarepta, Alberta. Predeceased by 5 siblings
and also by her son Murray6 in April 1940. Survived by her husband of 62 years, Lester
Mitchell5 of Powell River, B.C.; her children Larry6 (Lois Cashin), Monty6 (Maryanne
Uppgard), Renae6 (Robin Marshall), Randy6 (Sharon Boor); 10 grandchildren, 6
great-grandchildren; siblings Lawrence Martin, Edna Haverstock, Edie Entwhistle and Nora
Mitchell (Melvin5, Alexander3, Samuel2) of Parksville, B.C. Dorothy spent most of her life
in Richmond, B.C. before moving to Powell River in 1976. A Memorial Service was held on
Monday, March 15, 1999 at the Richmond Funeral Home followed by interment at the family
plot in Mountain View Cemetery. Dorothy was a devoted wife and the heart of a loving
family.
Dr. William Kaye Lamb, MA, PhD, FRCC, OC (Wessie Tipping5, Alexander3, Samuel2) passed
away on August 24, 1999 in Vancouver, B.C. at the U.B.C. Hospital, at the age of 95. Dr.
Lamb was former Provincial Librarian and Archivist of British Columbia; Head Librarian,
University of British Columbia and later Dominion Archivist and first National Librarian
of Canada. He was predeceased by his wife, Wessie M. (Tipping) Lamb5. He is survived by
his daughter Elizabeth (Lamb) Hawkins6 of Vancouver, son-in-law Bert Hawkins, and
grandsons Brian7 and Kenneth7 Hawkins. A Memorial Service was held Tuesday, August 31,
1999 at Mount Pleasant Funeral Home in Vancouver. A Memorial Service was also held at the
National Library/National Archives of Canada in Ottawa, Ontario on Wednesday, September
22, 1999.
Best wishes are sent out to Bob Moore (Dorothy5, Isabella3, William2) of Abbotsford, B.C. who spent 23 days in hospital, undergoing surgery for a perforated gall bladder. He is now home and reportedly doing well. Speedy recovery Bob!
Eileen (Mitchell) MacMillan5 (William Noble3, Samuel2) of Nepean, Ontario, celebrated her 80th birthday on June 25, 1999. She was honoured with a surprise party hosted by her family in the party room of her apartment building. It was truly a surprise and one of the few times she was left speechless! It was a wonderful party. Congratulations Eileen!
Edith (Mitchell) Anderson5 (William Noble3, Samuel2) of Nepean, Ontario, celebrated her 70th birthday on July 7, 1999. She was honoured at a barbecue party hosted by her family and held at the farm of her son, Rick Anderson6 and Michelle Williams. Even the rain didn’t dampen the spirits. It was a great day! Congratulations Edie!
Marie (Savage) Mitchell (Melburn4, Samuel3, Samuel2) of Richmond, B.C., celebrated her 80th birthday on July 14, 1999. She was honoured at a garden party at the home of Clark5 and Kathy (Cheshire) Mitchell of Richmond. Congratulations Marie!
Jeff Mahood7 (William Noble3, Samuel2) graduated from Trent University in Peterborough, Ontario on June 4, 1999 with a Bachelor of Arts Honours. Jeff also was on the Dean’s Honour List. He is continuing his studies this year at Queen’s University. Jeff is son of Donna Mitchell6 of Mississauga, Ontario, and grandson of Betty (Rogers) Mitchell (Stanley C.5) of Ottawa, Ontario. Congratulations Jeff!
A little catch up news from Pam (Ackerman) Burgoyne5 (Samuel3, Samuel2) of Perth, Western Australia. Pam’s eldest son, Liam Dwight Reid6, age 27, lives in Perth and is presently caring for his dad who suffers from Multiple Sclerosis. Her second son, Conor Mitchell Reid6, age 22, is currently an undergraduate at the Victorian College of Arts, studying Drama - a 3 year graduate course - in Melbourne, Australia. Pam works as a Clerical Officer with the State Government in the branch which covers forest and land conservation. Her sister, Valerie (Ackerman) Lewis is a psychologist and has a private practice in Perth. Val’s daughter Ilona (Karme) Scalisi6 is married and has two children, Gigi7 and Tatiana7. They live in Topanga Canyon near Los Angeles, California where she and her husband Nick work in the fashion industry.
In December 1998, Mary Louise (Gregotski) Mitchell (Michael6, William Noble3, Samuel2) of Edmonton, Alberta was awarded a plaque by the Canadian Cancer Society honouring her for 5 years of volunteer service. Mary Louise is daughter-in-law of Ken P. Mitchell5 of Westport, Ontario. Congratulations Mary Louise!
Nathan Andrews7 (Alexander3, William2) graduated from university in Mayville, North Dakota with a Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in Physical Education. Nathan is son of Neil6 and Heather (Stewart) Andrews of Rapid City, Manitoba and grandson of Bud5 and Doreen (Wolfe) Andrews of Brandon, Manitoba. Congratulations Nathan!
Janet (Scobie) Smedley5 (William3, William2) of Deep River, Ontario, will be celebrating her 80th birthday on November 23, 1999. Best wishes Jan!
Best wishes are sent out to Jane (Smedley) Thomas6 (William3, William2) of Nepean, Ontario as she faces shoulder surgery shortly.
Chelsea Mitchell7 (William
Noble3, Samuel2) won first prize for Grade 5 at the Edmonton Regional Science Fair in
March 1999. Chelsea was also the recipient of the Edmonton Space and Science Centre Vega
Scholarship. Her scholarship can be used towards a summer camp at the Edmonton Space and
Science Centre. Chelsea attends Rio Terrace Elementary School in Edmonton, Alberta. She is
daughter of Michael6 and Mary Louise (Gregotski) Mitchell of Edmonton, and granddaughter
of Ken P. Mitchell5 of Westport, Ontario. Congratulations Chelsea!
Michael6, Mary Louise (Gregotski) and Chelsea7 Mitchell, of Edmonton, Alberta, have a new addition to their family - a 26 year old Japanese student! Aiko Hirasawa arrived on September 5, 1999 and will be living with the Mitchell’s for approximately one year. Aiko, a trained nurse, is a student at the University of Alberta Faculty of Extension’s "English as a Second Language". Her English is quite good, much better than our Japanese!
I Can See What You Mean
Like a whisper in the night
A little too far away
I may not hear everything you say
Just look at me
And I can see what you mean
You don’t have to be sad
There’s no need to turn away
I’m just like you, I’ve got something to say
Just look at me
And I can see what you mean
A smiling face, a wink of the eye
A warm embrace, I feel inside
The touch of your hand, the music you hear
I feel it now, so perfectly clear
Just look at me
And I can see what you mean
Like a smile on your face
Or a soft gentle touch
The words that you say, mean oh so much
Just look at me
And I can see what you mean
Foster & Martin
Submitted by: Bob and Dorothy5 (Moore) Moore
(Isabella3, William2)
Abbotsford, B.C.
Financial Donations to the Newsletter
We really appreciate donations as well as the many subscriptions we receive. All these funds will help keep the Newsletter going. An issue such as this one, costs approximately $800 to get out to you. If you haven't subscribed in the past, or know of someone who might like to subscribe, please consider doing so. All information pertaining to subscriptions appears on the last page. As always, a GREEN SHAMROCK on the front page of your Newsletter indicates that your subscription is paid up. You can save money by receiving the newsletter by e-mail. See details earlier in this issue. NATURALLY, we can still use your donations!Acknowledgement is given to the following for their donations to the newsletter fund since the last newsletter:
Marie (Savage) Mitchell (Melburn4, Samuel3, Samuel2) of Richmond, B.C. in memory of Dorothy (Martin) Mitchell
(Lester5, Alexander3, Samuel2).Owen5 and Edith (Miller) Miller (Margot3, Samuel2) of Salem, Oregon
Edwin6 and Denise Lytle (Sara3, Samuel2) of Swan Lake, Manitoba
Internet
News 
I’d like to thank all of you that responded
to the last Newsletter and are now taking the letter off the Internet and submitting
information via E-mail. I’m sure that after a few more issues of the News we will
have many many more on board. I assume that all that are accessing the Page are doing so
with ease as I have received very few help requests. "Maybe all the Mitchell Clan are
Internet Savvy". Just have to put another plug in for the Web Site- if you
haven’t sent us an E-mail yet, DO IT NOW.
It’s easy just drop a line to mitchellnews@writeme.com
and I’ll get you the Web Site address --- and you’re off. I’m sure
that you could also send in some addresses of family that don’t get the Mitchell
Newsletter at present. Come on Vancouver/Brandon/Vernon/Toronto - you know who you are.
Hope to hear from you all soon.
Cheers,
Grant Ackney6(Alexander3, William2) Nelson, B.C.
The Mitchell Memorial
Restoration Fund is used for the upkeep of the old pioneer cemetery in the Gatineau Hills
of Quebec. Anyone wishing to donate to this project may do so by making a cheque payable
to Mitchell Memorial Restoration Fund and sending it
to Pam for deposit in the fund. Many thanks for your continuing support.
A special thank you to Owen5 and Edith Miller (Margot3, Samuel2) of Salem, Oregon for their donation to the cemetery restoration fund.
Family History
We are trying to compile stories from each branch of the family for use, hopefully, in a future book about our Mitchell Family. How did YOUR family come to settle where they did? Please share with us any stories you might have. We would like to get them written down and compiled. Between Jane2, William2 and Samuel2 who came to Canada in 1840 (the children of William1 and Jane (Stuart) Mitchell) they had 26 children. Although it will be very difficult to accomplish, we would like to try and have stories from each of the 26 branches. Please help if you can. Even if you just have a little tidbit to share, please do so! Nothing is too insignificant to pass along. We look forward to hearing from you. A sample of one family history appears in this issue.Archives
The Mitchell family tree is an ongoing and never-ending project for which we will always need your assistance. Please keep us posted of births, deaths, marriages, etc. so we can keep it as up-to-date as possible. We are also compiling an archives of old family pictures, copies of documents, etc. If you have anything you'd like to share with us along this line we'd be pleased to hear from you. At the same time, we are looking for up-to-date pictures for the "Family Scrapbook". Please send us your family snapshot.
Our Mitchell family pin is a lapel pin,
3/4" in diameter, shaped like a shamrock to depict the Irish background, with red,
green and white taken from the Mitchell dress tartan to depict the Scottish background.
"Mitchell" is inscribed across one white band. The pins sell for $5.00 each
(which includes postage).
Souvenirs
We have a small supply of T-shirts left from
Reunion 1998. They are available on a first-come-first-served basis. The cost is $12.00
plus a little something for mailing. They are a plain white T-shirt with the same crest as
our Mitchell family pins on the left front. If anyone is interested, contact Pam and Ken
Mitchell.
We also have some decals (for your car window or bumper, school bag, binder, etc.) with the same family crest. They are available for $2.00 each. Again, contact Pam and Ken if you are interested in having one or more of these decals.
Please don't forget - we need your
support to keep the Newsletter going! It is published twice a year - March and September. OR
send us your e-mail address To mitchellnews@iname.com and it can be sent to you free of charge.
SUBSCRIPTIONS: $5.00 (Canadian funds) per year (multiple years or donations accepted with pleasure!)
CHEQUES PAYABLE TO:
Mitchell Family NewsletterPlease send subscriptions and donations in CANADIAN FUNDS. An example is a cheque for $5.00 U.S. for which we receive approximately 70¢ in foreign exchange and are charged $2.00 for a foreign cheque, which leaves us with about $3.70. We would appreciate your assistance with this, either by sending subscriptions in Canadian funds or making sure the U.S. or other currency cheque covers the charges. Many thanks for your help.
SEND TO: Any one of the editors - their addresses are above.
NEXT NEWSLETTER: MARCH 2000"He only deserves to be remembered by posterity who treasures up and preserves the history of his ancestors." Edmund Burke Return to Home Page
