Rosalie Nichols Mitchell, excellent seamstress, homemaker
Rosalie Nichols Mitchell, 91, passed away peacefully Friday, Oct. 14, 2022, at Manor House in Seaford, after a long illness.
Rosalie was born 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. She was an excellent seamstress, and adorned many of the homes in the Newark, Delaware 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, Rosalie 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; 17 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her only remaining cousin, Joanne Hastings Lord of Linden, Tenn.
The family wishes to extend their sincere gratitude to Rosalie’s caregivers at Manor House of Seaford, and most recently Vitas Hospice of Millsboro.
A Funeral Service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 22, at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Hardesty Chapel, 202 Laws St., Bridgeville, where friends may call beginning at 10 a.m. Burial will follow services at Bridgeville Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Rosalie's name to VITAS Hospice, 30265 Commerce Drive, Ste. 202, Millsboro, DE 19966; or to Dementia Society, dementiasociety.org/donate.
Visit Rosalie's Life Tribute webpage and sign her online guestbook at parsellfuneralhomes.com.
