Mitchell, Mary (Pringle)
Mary Pringle Mitchell of West Simsbury, CT and Vero Beach, FL, wife of the late Walter I. Mitchell and mother of Mark, Robert and Steven. She had six grandchildren, Jill, Daniel, Rene, Justin, Heather, and Ashley and three great grandchildren, Walter and Boden Mitchell and Elise Gettinger. Mary was the daughter of Irene and Robert Pringle of
Weatogue.
She was involved in the Mitchell Auto Group all of her life. The company was founded by her dad Robert in 1922 and was then known as the Weatogue Garage. When her dad died, Mary and her husband Walter carried on for over 50 years and it is now in the 3rd generation and known as Mitchell Auto Group managed and owned by her sons.
Mary was made a Hometown Hero in 1988 and she was a volunteer at Hartford Hospital for 20 years and during that period of time she was also the President of the Hospital Auxiliary and was a past corroborator.
She was past president of the 58 Club in Simsbury and served on many boards in the town over the years. She volunteered at McLean Home and the Virginia Connolly Residence, leading groups she called “Reminisce with Mary”.
Mary graduated from the Lab Institute of Merchandising in NYC in 1946. She decided to go to college when she was well over 50 and received her certificate in Gerontology and her BA and her MA in Gerontology when she was 70, all from the University of St. Joseph. She received the distinguished alumni award, the Sister Mary Rosa award and was also Past President of the N.E. Gerontological Society.
She produced and hosted a Show for SCTV for five years titled “The Prime of Your Life” and interviewed many local seniors. She wrote several self-published books and lead a writing group in Vero Beach for many years. She was a Weatogue Story Teller, contributing to a book about life in Weatogue that was donated to the Simsbury Historical Society in memory of her husband Walter Mitchell.
She belonged to the Simsbury Methodist Church and the Simsbury Free Library and the Simsbury Historical Society. In Vero Beach she was an active member of the Indian River Genealogy Society. She encouraged all to record their oral history and family stories for future generations. She also belonged to the AAUW and Scottish Scottish Society.
She was an avid reader and belonged to several book clubs. Mary loved life and was believed in staying involved. She loved her family.
A Celebration of Life will take place at Simsbury United Methodist Church, 799 Hopmeadow Street in Simsbury at 11:00 AM on Friday, May 21st with a reception at Hop Meadow Country Club immediately following the service. To attend the service, please RSVP in Mary's “Book of Memories” at www.vincentfuneralhome.com. Private burial will be in Simsbury Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to your favorite charity.