Rosemary
Rosemary Fell Mitchell
d. April 30, 2016
Rosemary Fell Mitchell passed away peacefully at home with family on May 7, 2016 at the age of 89. She was preceded in death by her husband Clifford V. Mitchell and three sisters. She is survived by three children, John Mitchell (June) of Eagle River, AK, Marilyn Wilson of Pilot Rock OR, and Carol Hebert of Albuquerque; a brother, William Fell, of Rising Sun, MD; nine grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
Rosemary was born at the Fell family farm in Rising Sun, MD in 1927. She attended Wesley College and graduated with honors from American University with a degree in biology. She worked for the National Institute of Health in the late 1940's and was involved with early tobacco-related medical research.
She met her future husband, a veteran and fellow student at AU, on a blind date at a Washington Senators game. They were married at Rising Sun in 1949 and lived briefly in D.C. before moving to Albuquerque in 1950. She was 23 and had never before traveled west of the Appalachian Mountains. She recalled arriving at the train station in Albuquerque during a raging dust storm but soon found the dry climate and desert vistas and culture much to her liking.
Rosemary became a Medical Technologist after completing her training at St. Joseph Hospital and worked at the VA Hospital pathology department for several years.
Widowed at 59, Rosemary retired from the VA Hospital and continued her enjoyment of time with her grandchildren, a book club, a garden club and an investment club. She served as an Elderhostel hostess, opening her home to international travelers and also traveled herself with friends and family.
Rosemary and her husband were founding members of Christ United Methodist Church on Gibson Blvd. She served on many church committees and projects but long ago returned to her first calling - missions. Christian principles were intrinsic to her character and guided her in daily life. From serving at an outreach facility located at Central and Broadway in the 1950s to recent participation with the church food pantry, Rosemary dedicated herself to uplifting those in need.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, May 19, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at Christ United Methodist Church, 6200 Gibson Blvd. SE. Interment will follow at the Santa Fe National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Christ United Methodist Church.
Rosemary was born at the Fell family farm in Rising Sun, MD in 1927. She attended Wesley College and graduated with honors from American University with a degree in biology. She worked for the National Institute of Health in the late 1940's and was involved with early tobacco-related medical research.
She met her future husband, a veteran and fellow student at AU, on a blind date at a Washington Senators game. They were married at Rising Sun in 1949 and lived briefly in D.C. before moving to Albuquerque in 1950. She was 23 and had never before traveled west of the Appalachian Mountains. She recalled arriving at the train station in Albuquerque during a raging dust storm but soon found the dry climate and desert vistas and culture much to her liking.
Rosemary became a Medical Technologist after completing her training at St. Joseph Hospital and worked at the VA Hospital pathology department for several years.
Widowed at 59, Rosemary retired from the VA Hospital and continued her enjoyment of time with her grandchildren, a book club, a garden club and an investment club. She served as an Elderhostel hostess, opening her home to international travelers and also traveled herself with friends and family.
Rosemary and her husband were founding members of Christ United Methodist Church on Gibson Blvd. She served on many church committees and projects but long ago returned to her first calling - missions. Christian principles were intrinsic to her character and guided her in daily life. From serving at an outreach facility located at Central and Broadway in the 1950s to recent participation with the church food pantry, Rosemary dedicated herself to uplifting those in need.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, May 19, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at Christ United Methodist Church, 6200 Gibson Blvd. SE. Interment will follow at the Santa Fe National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Christ United Methodist Church.
Service Details
Thursday, May 19th, 2016, 10:30am, Christ United Method Church
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