Rosalie Nichols Mitchell passed away peacefully on Friday, Oct. 14, 2022, at Manor House of Seaford after a long illness.
Mrs. Mitchell was born on June 6, 1931, daughter of the late Enos F. and Ethel E. Nichols of Bridgeville. Rosalie grew up in Bridgeville and graduated from Bridgeville High School in 1949. On Oct. 19, 1949, she married the love of her life, Earl W. Mitchell, Sr. and started a union that would last 62 years. Mrs. Mitchell was an excellent seamstress, and adorned many of the homes in the Newark area with her beautiful custom-made slipcovers and draperies. In addition, she was a homemaker, and the glue that held the family together. She supported all five of her children in their many activities, making sure they had what they needed to be successful – whether it be schooling, high school band trips and activities, or sports.
Rosalie and Earl rebuilt her parent’s old farmhouse outside of Bridgeville and started a new adventure. After Earl’s retirement in 1989, they purchased a motorhome and traveled extensively across the country and wintered in Florida. They also traveled abroad, visiting European countries, Southeast Asia, and the South Pacific. After Earl’s passing in April 2012, Rosalie resided in several retirement communities, while maintaining her independent streak and “spicy” nature. She will be missed by many.
In addition to her parents, Mrs. Mitchell was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 62 years, Earl W. Mitchell, Sr. and two sisters, Anna Kelly, and Louise Meiklejohn. She is survived by her five children, Susan Hopper and her husband, Gerry of Millsboro; Linda Stromer and her husband, Steve of Georgetown; Janet Bradley and her husband, Harold (Jr.) of Bridgeville; Earl W. Mitchell, Jr. and his wife, Jeannie of Rising Sun, Md.; and Benjamin R. Mitchell, II and his wife, Kristen of Lewes; 11 grandchildren; seventeen great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her only remaining cousin, Joanne Hastings Lord of Linden, Tennessee.
The family wishes to extend their sincere gratitude to Mrs. Mitchell’s caregivers at Manor House of Seaford, and most recently Vitas Hospice of Millsboro.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, Oct. 22 at 11 a.m. at the Parsell Funeral Home and Crematorium, Hardesty Chapel, 202 Laws Street in Bridgeville, where friends may call beginning at 10 a.m. Burial will follow services at the Bridgeville Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Rosalie’s name to VITAS Hospice at 30265 Commerce Drive, Suite 202, Millsboro, DE 19966 or to the Dementia Society by visiting https://www.dementiasociety.org/donate.
Please visit Rosalie’s Life Tribute Webpage and sign her online guestbook at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com.