In loving memory of

Helen Kennedy Mitchell
October 27, 1931 - April 4, 2017

Helen Birkin Kennedy Mitchell, age 85, passed away on Tuesday April 4, 2017 in Fitchburg, Wisconsin. She was born on October 27, 1931 in New Rochelle, New York, to the late Solon and Katherine (Birkin) Kennedy. Helen was a Chagrin Falls High School graduate, Class of 1949.

For Helen, home was in Chagrin Falls, Ohio where she raised her three children with husband George "Bud", served as a social worker, and worked at the Fireside Bookstore. Here, in the Mitchell home, Helen passed her passions along to her children. Her love of gardening, cooking, reading, entertaining, crafting and making memories extends through the generations.

"Amo," as she was referred to by family and friends, is the Latin conjugation of the verb, "to love." True to this name, Amo taught and practiced kindness, strength and unconditional love - putting the needs of others before her own. All of those who knew Amo knew of her warm soul and selfless ways. She offered genuine curiosity and understanding to anyone who crossed her path.

Remember Amo in the color turquoise, the smell of hyacinth, the taste of root beer and the songs of cardinals, pileated woodpeckers, and other feathered creatures. Remember Amo for her quick wit, strong will and smiling "bullshit".

Helen is survived by her children; George Scott Mitchell (Rosalind Burwell), Katherine "Kaki" Kennedy Mitchell, and Lizbeth "Beth" Ann Mitchell-Ravel (Ronald Ravel); grandchildren Andrea Miriam Powell Wolfe (Michael Wolfe), Nicholas James Powell (Nikki Powell), Christopher George Powell, Emilie Catherine Mitchell, Katherine "McKenzie" Powell and Emma Helen Werntz; great-grandchildren Taegan Anne Carpenter and Wesley Michael Wolfe. She is further survived by her brother Donald Kennedy and joined in death by her sister-in-law Dee Kennedy two days following her own decease. Helen was preceded in death by her husband George "Bud" Plummer Mitchell, Jr.

A celebration of life will be held at 1:00pm on Saturday, July 22, 2017 at the South Franklin Circle, 16575 South Franklin Street, Chagrin Falls, OH, 44023.

Donations in Helen's name are welcome and should be addressed to Agrace HospiceCare, 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Fitchburg, WI 53711.

Cress Center
6021 University Ave.
Madison, WI 53705
608-238-8406

Tributes

Ashley Kelleher wrote on Aug 16, 2017:

"Dear Mitchell Family, Im sorry to ramble- but here I go. I have often wondered about Helen and how she might be doing. I am a 24 year old in graduate school about to become a physical therapist, but when I knew Helen I was a CNA at The Jefferson from 2012-2014. Helen and I had such a special bond, as I'm sure she had with so many other care givers. She was so gosh darn sweet it was hard not to love her! Even with her occasional perhaps biased but always loving concerns about Emma's high school boyfriend (I hope I have her granddaughters name remembered correctly). Gosh she was a hoot who loved her family above all. She cared so heavily and talked so much about Beth (who I met at the independent living home) and Kaki. Of course she taught me all about how the family was related to the Kennedys. She is still the patient I use in interviews to explain how her kindness drove me to spend some of my breaks having tea with her discussing life instead of watching tv in the office, as I may otherwise have. Shortly after I quit at The Jefferson she was transferred to a temporary rehab facility. I went to visit her (the first time I had ever done that with any client) and came with a bouquet of flowers. I was so sad to find out she had just been taken to the hospital and would be gone for a couple of days. My biggest regret continues to be not leaving any contact information or finding away to reach out to her. I even messaged my old manager about a year later asking if he had updates but he heard she moved but was no longer with the company and so had no way to find out where she was currently living. It is with such a heavy heart that I come upon her obituary as I searched once again for her. I am sorry I did not manage to see or talk with her again, but please know how greatly she impacted my life. As I finish my last year in PT school, I know it is patients like Helen that drive me to be the best I can be. Thoughts and prayers always with the Kennedy Mitchell family. Ashley "