Leona S. (Gashi) Mitchell

 Mrs. Leona S. Mitchell, 91, a resident of Benton and formerly of Fairmount Springs and West Wyoming, passed into Eternal Life Monday, September 27th in the comfort of her daughter's residence in Shickshinny, with her beloved family at her side. She had recently been affected by cardiac health issues.

     Born August 14, 1930 in West Wyoming, she was the youngest of twelve children to the late John and Rosalie (Niadna) Gashi.  She was educated in the West Wyoming schools, prior to her family's relocation to the Fairmount Springs area as a child.

     Devoted to her Catholic faith, Mrs. Mitchell was a member of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish community in Swoyersville for many years.

     Prior to her retirement to raise her family, Mrs. Mitchell was employed in the area's former garment industry as a sewing machine operator.

     In her spare time, and loving the outdoors, she was an avid gardener and enjoyed the countless flower gardens she tended to over the years. 

     She is remembered by those who knew and loved her as being a wonderful mother and grandmother who excelled in baking and cooking traditional Polish foods.

     Mrs. Mitchell was preceded in death by all of her eleven siblings and her beloved husband, James L. Mitchell Sr. in 2006.  That same year she also lost a grandson, Heath Mitchell.  In 2010, her son Robert Mitchell passed followed by a son-in-law, Mark Popeck in 2013; most recently she bid farewell to a second son, James L. Mitchell Jr. in 2018.

     Left to mourn her passing are her children, Kenneth Mitchell and his wife Maryann of Cambra; Rosalie Popeck of Hunlock Creek and Debbie Sotelo along with her husband John of Shickshinny, with whom she recently resided; Two grandchildren, Ryan and Brina Jo Sotelo; Several nieces, nephews and dear friends.

     Per her previous request, funeral services for Mrs. Mitchell were held privately and at the convenience of her family with her Funeral Mass in Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, 116 Hughes Street, Swoyersville.  The Reverend Joseph J. Pisaneschi, pastor, served as celebrant and homilist.

     Interment with the Rite of Committal followed in Saint Mary's Roman Catholic Cemetery, 83 Brook Street, Swoyersville.  There was no formal visitation.

     The John V. Morris Family Funeral Home Inc. of North Wilkes-Barre is honored to care for Mrs. Mitchell and her family at this time. 

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