DOROTHY LEE (PRIBILSKI) MITCHELL
1931-2022
Dorothy Lee (Pribilski) Mitchell of Houston died March 16, 2022 at the age of 90. She passed away peacefully in her sleep from heart failure. Dorothy was born on April 27, 1931, in Brenham, Texas and grew there into a vivacious young woman. In her teens, she adorned the Queen’s Court float as a Duchess in the annual
May Queen Festival Parade (Maifest), as it traversed downtown Brenham on Alamo St. After receiving her diploma, she enrolled in the University of Houston and earned a degree in education. She was excited to start her career teaching the fundamental skill of reading to her first grade students. Dorothy passionately believed every child should have a first class education. During college she met a handsome young lawyer, Thomas J. Mitchell, Jr., who became the love of her life and best friend. They were married for over 68 years.
She devoted herself to raising a family and contributing to the community. Dorothy happily volunteered with the St. Francis Episcopal Church Altar Guild, the Houston Bar Association Auxiliary and the PTAs of her children’s schools. These were some of the organizations in which she held a leadership position. Dorothy also knew how to have fun. As a couple, Tom and Dorothy traveled extensively to California, the Caribbean, and Mexico, where Acapulco was a favorite destination. They also loved visiting New York City to see the latest Broadway theatricals. In her middle years, Dorothy learned to play tennis and enjoyed competing on teams at the Houston Racquet Club and in matches across the city. In her later years she became a champion bridge player at the Racquet Club and in city inter-league play. One of her favorite groups of friends was the Brown Thumb Garden Club, a name that disguised what was really a cooking and travel club. All 40 members were expert cooks preparing and serving luncheons four times a year with a speaker on interesting topics or gardening. The club members would thoroughly research historically interesting places to visit, in and out of state, lining up expert tour guides, fine dining and shopping venues. Dorothy and Tom built a beautiful second home nestled in a woodsy section of Huntsville. It was a place they could relax with friends and family outside the thrum of Houston. Together they supported the performing arts of Sam Houston State University and cheered on the Bearkat athletic teams. Dorothy dedicated herself fully to her family. Her husband and children were the most important parts of her life. She loved them with her whole heart every day, and was tremendously proud of them and their accomplishments. She is survived by her husband, Thomas J. Mitchell Jr.; her three children and their spouses, Thomas J. Mitchell III and wife Kathy; Nancy Mitchell Barnett and husband Barry; and Mark A. Mitchell and wife Margarita. Dorothy also adored and showered with love her three grandchildren, Caroline Barnett Reeve and husband Nate of Houston; Emily Mitchell Bertram and husband Tim of Austin; and James E. Barnett of Dallas. A memorial service celebrating Dorothy’s life will be on May 7, 2022 at 2pm in the Sanctuary of St. Francis Episcopal Church, 345 Piney Point Rd. Reception to follow immediately after the service in the Parish Hall.