Marian Mitchell, 77, was surrounded by family when she went peacefully home to her Heavenly Father.
She was born and raised in the Albany area by her parents, Christian Roth and Mary (Schlegel) Roth.
Marian married Andrew "Vic" Mitchell on Oct. 17, 1954, in Albany. They had just celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary.
She worked for Nichols Garden Nursery in Albany for approximately 20 years although she enjoyed her job it was her coworkers that she enjoyed the most.
She was devoted to her faith and was raised Mennonite until marriage. As a couple they attended the Albany First Baptist Church and in the mid '70s they changed to the Albany First Assembly of God and have since remained there.
They joined MAPS (Missionary America Placement Services), where they volunteered the past 10 years to traveling the United States building churches and helping with Bible camps wherever needed.
Together they traveled to places such as Bolivia, Africa, Mexico and Israel for pleasure and mission work.
Marian enjoyed the outdoors, having lunch with family and friends, going shopping and on coast trips with her sisters and nieces. She liked to get her exercise by doing activities she enjoyed such as golfing, fishing, walking on the beach, camping, gardening and any outdoor activity. She blessed her family with traditional holidays by putting her heart and soul into decorating and preparing meals making it special for all who attended. She enjoyed attending her grandchildren and great-grandchildren's sporting events. One of her greatest gifts was the ability to play the piano which she played strictly by ear, having never taken a lesson, she played beautifully.
Marian's greatest achievement was how she made other people feel about themselves. Once you met her, you never forgot her; she always had a smile, spoke only kind and loving words, and her compassion was endless. Her hands were gentle and always busy doing for others, she had an infectious hug even towards strangers. Even through the most difficult times in her life she looked to her faith and kept a wonderful positive attitude.
The greatest gift Marian gave to her family was teaching her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren about the love of God and the importance of faith to sustain them in life. The bond and love between Marian and Vic is something to be admired and is an inspiration to all who know and love them.
Marian and Vic have four children: Andy Mitchell of Albany, Kathy (Mitchell) Wood and spouse Wayne of Scio, Chris Mitchell of Albany and Jay Mitchell of Surrey, British Columbia, Canada. They have nine grandchildren: Aaron Olson, Patti (Olson) Pastega, Jessica (Olson) Gray, Karin (Mitchell) Feuerstein, Ashley (Mitchell) Johnson, Karissa (Mitchell) Dennis, Autumn Mitchell, Anna Mitchell and Josephine Mitchell, as well as 10 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters: Della Steckley and Violet Schrock, and brother Norman Roth, all of Albany; and numerous nieces and nephews throughout the United States.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Christian and Mary; sisters Gladys, Grace, Mildred, Florence, Shirley and Beulah; brothers Percy and Eddie; and great-grandson Lincoln James Feuerstein, who is lovingly being cradled in her arms now.
A service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 19, at First Assembly of God Church on Santiam Hwy in Albany, with a reception to follow the service in the Family Center. A graveside service will be at 2 p.m. at the Willamette Memorial Park, Old Salem Road N.E., Albany.
Donations may be made to OHSU Pancreatic Cancer Research, Knight Cancer Institute, 3181 S.W. Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97239-3098, or Samaritan Evergreen Hospice, 4600 Evergreen St. S.E., Albany, OR 97322.
AAsum-Dufour Funeral Home is handling arrangements ( www.aasum-dufour.com ).