Mary Lou Mitchell

Mary Lou Mitchell, 85, formerly from Potsdam, NY, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 14, 2017 at Samaritan Summit Village in Watertown, NY with her family by her side.

Mary Lou was born on May 26, 1932 in Louisville, NY, the daughter of Henry Wallace and Byo Wilhelmina (Lawrence) Phillips.

On June 28, 1948 she married Lawrence Harold Mitchell.  They celebrated 65 years of marriage when he passed away in 2013.  They had 8 children: Peter Lawrence (Mary Ann Rowe) of Lakeland Florida, Bonnie Lee (Maynard) Richmire of Williamsburg Ontario, Jon Wayne (Wendy Lallier) Mitchell of Mexico NY, Karen Lou (Richard) Compo of Oswego NY, Susan Lynn (stillborn), Donna Marie (Rob) Stevenson of Chaumont NY, Sterling Webster (Elizabeth Myers) Mitchell of Sanfordville, and Julie Anne (Andy Lewis) Mitchell of Williamsburg Ontario.  She has many grandchildren and great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

She is survived by a sister Beverly Bunstone-Martin of Norfolk and a brother Darwin Phillips of Norwood.  She is predeceased by her husband Lawrence, daughter Susan, grandson Jole Austin McNalty, parents, sister Vera Snyder and brothers Yale, Royal, and Dolan Phillips.

In her early years, Mary Lou worked in food service and dining including the snack bar on the hill at Clarkson, a carhop at the Dilly Wagon, Dairy Queen, Lewis House, and the Homestead Dairy Bar. Later, she was a volunteer for Meals on Wheels at Midtown Apartments and was always helping her elderly friends. 

Mary Lou was very fond of her family and loved to play cards (Pedro) sometimes to the wee hours of the morning.  She enjoyed baking, bowling, camping, fishing, round and square dancing, crocheting, quilting, gardening and visiting with friends at the local diners.  She was proud of her expansive flower beds, especially irises, and was always making a quilt to give away.  She was also a faithful member of Knapps Station Community Church.

Arrangements are with the Hammill Funeral Home in Winthrop, where visitation will be held Sunday from 1 to 3 pm followed by her funeral service.

In lieu of flowers, expression of one's sympathy may be made in her honor to Sanfordville Cemetery Association, 8750 U.S. Hwy. 11 Potsdam, NY 13676.

Words of memories and condolences may be shared with the Mitchell family at www.hammillfh.com.