Paulena F. Mitchell

Polly Mitchell, 71, died peacefully at Vitas Hospice on April 14, 2013 following years of living graciously and courageously with the debilitating effects of autoimmune disease. Her stalwart determination to always live life to the fullest by pursuing her interests and showing infinite kindness and generosity toward others set an example her family and friends will always remember. Polly was born in Wichita Falls on 9/8/1941. A strong student from an early age, she graduated from high school with honors and then graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a BA in Music from Colorado College. She shared her love of learning by becoming a teacher, receiving an MA from Columbia Universitys Teachers College. Polly taught for a decade with Department of Defense Schools in Turkey and Germany, and two decades with North East Independent School District in San Antonio. She always enjoyed traveling and sharing knowledge about the local area and culture in her lessons. She honored the diversity of her students life experiences by incorporating their music and stories into the classroom. Whether teaching preschool music, junior high choir, or fourth grade, she inspired each students creativity and imagination while covering education fundamentals. Her classroom walls gave testament to the tireless efforts of a teacher who loved to showcase her students work. Music was a driving force throughout Pollys life. Her fine soprano voice graced church choirs from the time she was four, from Wichita Falls to Dallas, and at both St. Thomas and Reconciliation Episcopal churches in San Antonio. Over 50 couples were blessed by her singing at their weddings. She sang in many major choral ensembles in San Antonio. In the 70s, she sang under direction of John Silantien with the Mastersingers. In the 80s, she played several lead roles with St. Thomas Gilbert and Sullivan Players. In the 90s, she began a 20-year stint with the San Antonio Choral Society, where she also served as grant writer, board member, and president. Recently, she has been a board member of Benissimo, and a singer with the Tuesday Music Club with whom she sang a final concert a week before she passed. Always she donated generously of her time, talent, and financial help within her means help build the musical community of San Antonio. In addition to being a musician, Polly was a very social person. In college, she followed her mother as a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. At 27, she met Robert B. Mitchell, a U.S. Air Force officer, in a scuba diving club in Turkey. They married and enjoyed cooking and entertaining friends in their home, cultivating worldwide friendships together for 23 years. Polly actively supported her daughters musical development--as a band booster at MacArthur high school, by traveling to watch her perform in Up With People, and by singing with her in her senior university recital. She relished her role as GMP (Godmother Polly) for the children in her adopted family of Vickey and Rod Haff. As an enthusiastic Spurs fan, she held season tickets for years and was still zooming into ATT Center in her electric cart in early April, cheering the Spurs on to the playoffs. Polly is survived by her daughter Maren Mitchell, her primary caregiver for the past year, her sister Carole Rush of Seattle, and, two Godchildren Polly Haff and Kyle Roach-Compton. She was pre-deceased by her daughter Misha Mitchell, who died of leukemia at age 3, as well as parents Bess Olson Franklin and David Edward Franklin and a well-loved stepmother Jeanne Franklin Swan.

A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 27, at Episcopal Church of Reconciliation, 8900 Starcrest.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made either to Vitas Hospice, or American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association, 22100 Gratiot Avenue, East Detroit, MI 48021.