Shirley Rae Mitchell
January 22, 1936 - July 9, 2021
Obituary
January 22, 1936 – July 9, 2021
Memorial Service Friday, July 30, 2021 from 2:00 – 4:00pm at Church of the Good Shephard, 345 S 312th St., Federal Way, WA 98003.
Shirley passed away peacefully at home with family and friends by her side. She was born in Chehalis, Washington to Velva and Glen Ziegler. Her husband H. George Mitchell, her mother and father, sister Nancy Ziegler Hanson, and brother Dick Ziegler have all preceded her in death.
Shirley majored in art at Western Washington University and upon graduation moved to Seattle, where she met and married George Mitchell on April 8, 1961. They settled in Federal Way, and Michael Mitchell and Michelle Mitchell Scharmann were soon born. Both Shirley and George were members of the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd dating back to 1968.
Shirley’s most loving pastime was her garden; often up at dawn and in the yard with coffee in hand, her life was like her garden:
Something always growing,
Something always blooming,
Something always beautiful to see and do
A talented lady in many ways, she was best known for her wonderful pen and ink art. Shirley was also a skilled seamstress, cook and decorator of many things. Her family will miss her warm heart, her beautiful smile, her endless knowledge of gardening, and her krumkakes and rosettes at Christmastime every year.
Friends will miss her involvement in the community, church, and friendships. Her countless art awards and thank-you notes for her contributions of time and talent attest to this. Back in the day, Shirley was instrumental in Federal Way art shows, PTA, fundraisers and Marriage Encounter, as well as being one of Centerstage Theatre’s three original board members.
During her life travelling was always dear to her heart, and she spoke often of her adventures in Peru, the Galapagos Islands, Alaska, Italy, Austria, Ireland, the Netherlands and Hawaii.
Survived by son Michael Mitchell and daughter Michelle (Larry) Scharmann, grandchildren Clara (Greg) Marshall, Joshua (Thea) Scharmann, Tyler (Kevon) Zadeh and Garrett Mitchell, as well as great-grandchildren August Scharmann, and Falcon and Zeplin Marshall. Burial will be with her husband at Tahoma National Cemetery.
