Anita "Neat" Louise Mitchell
MITCHELL, Anita (“Neat”) Louise It is with tremendous sadness, and much gratitude for a life-well-lived, that we announce the passing of Anita on September 4, 2019, our loving, vibrant, affectionate and generous wife, mother, sister, Nannie, aunt, and friend. Anita is predeceased by her parents, Charles and Nevera Grace; brother, Gregory; brother-in-law, George Mitchell; sister-in-law, Eleanor Mitchell and grandson, Jonas Mitchell. Anita was beloved wife to David (“Mitch”) of Ottawa for 64 years, cherished sister to William of Yarmouth, NS, and devoted mother to George (Josée), David (Heather) and Steven, all of Ottawa. She was precious “Nannie” to grandchildren, Elizabeth of Guelph, ON, and Stephanie Minor (Michael) of Winnipeg; great-grandchildren, Ruben and Luca of Winnipeg; step-granddaughter, Samantha Larocque of Ottawa and son, Kane. Anita will be fondly remembered by nieces and nephews, Barbara Smith (Garry) of Norwood, NS, Kevin Grace of Edmonton, Diane Thompson (Bruce) of Port Maitland, NS; great nieces and nephews, Tiffany, Crystal, and Brad, as well as aunt Shirley Wallington of Crystal Beach, ON, sister-in-law Shirley Gummer of Ottawa and family, and the family of the late George and Eleanor Mitchell of Bridgewater, NS. Born in Halifax, March 9, 1935, Anita moved to Yarmouth, NS, in childhood. She attended Yarmouth Memorial High School where she was an active member of Canadian Girls in Training as well as the schools basketball team. It was at Yarmouth Memorial that she met and flirted with the handsome young chemistry teacher who would become her husband in 1955! Anita spent seventeen years as a full-time mother raising her three sons. She was also employed by the Bank of Montreal both in Yarmouth and on base in Germany. During one of the family’s two “naval tours” in Germany she saved the life of a young man who was drowning and received a Certificate from the Royal Life Saving Society of Canada. Upon returning to Canada in 1981, she worked at Royal Bank until her retirement in 1996. Physical activity was always an important part of Anita’s life. She curled for over forty years (in Canada, Switzerland, Germany, and Scotland). She also took part in cross-country skiing, golf, yoga, Pilates and aqua-fit. Until quite recently she was an active member of “Strong Bones” classes at the Hunt Club-Riverside Park Community Centre. Anita’s loss will also be grieved by the community she served so well. She was a treasured member of the Anglican Church of the Resurrection, Ottawa, where she was on the Pastoral Care team for many years. Along with dear friend Barbara Wright, Anita was a long-time volunteer with Meals on Wheels. Anita loved to travel, including yearly vacations to the Caribbean and trips “down home” to Nova Scotia with Mitch. She had a passion for white wine and the slots, baked a legendary cherry cheesecake and cared for many cats named Ginger over the years. The family wishes to thank the staff at the Ottawa Hospital General Campus, Cancer Centre and the Élisabeth Bruyère Hospital for their professionalism and compassionate care of Anita. Cremation has taken place and internment will be at a later date in the Mitchell plot at the Pine Hill Cemetery in Chester, NS. In lieu of flowers, donations in honour of Anita can be made to the Anglican Church of the Resurrection, 3191 Riverside Drive, Ottawa, ON, K1V 8N8, or to a charity of your choice. A celebration of Anita’s life will be held on September 27, 2019 at the Anglican Church of the Resurrection, 3191 Riverside Drive, Ottawa, K1V 8N8. Visitation will be at 1 pm, service at 2 pm, followed by a reception at the Church. Tributes and condolences may be made at ottawacitizen.remembering.ca