Shirley Gilkey Mitchell, loved her family

Shirley Mitchell, 88, of Milton passed away Monday, July 22. 2024, at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pa. 

 

Shirley was born Oct. 19, 1935, in Historic Old New Castle. She graduated from William Penn High School Class of 1954. After graduation, Shirley married the love of her life, Capt. Frank Mitchell. After Frank retired from the B&O Railroad in Newark, they moved to Milton. They opened Mitchell's Bait & Tackle on Coastal Highway, where she worked seven days a week from April to October. She loved talking to everyone she met. During the off-season, they loved to travel. They traveled to 48 states, always returning to their favorites Hawaii, Las Vegas, and the Florida Keys. When she wasn't traveling, she spent most of her time with Frank on the water boating, fishing, crabbing, and camping in their RV. Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren. Shirley and Frank celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in June.

 

Shirley is preceded in death by her beloved grandparents, Edward and Anna Gilkey of Old New Castle; and her mother, Catherine Gilkey Bagley. She is survived by her loving husband, Capt. Frank Mitchell; her daughters, Debbie Mitchell Gallagher and her husband Tim, and Sheryl Mitchell King and her husband Herbie; and her son, Robert E. Mitchell.

 

She also leaves behind her grandchildren, Katie Ferenc (Rob) of Tennessee, Joe Gallagher of Lewes, Kelly Gallagher Melvin (Zac), Heather M. King and Stacy King of Milton; great-grandchildren, Tyler, Kendall, Jacoby, Dylan, Mia and Mason; a caring brother-in-law, Claude Mitchell; and her special nieces: Patti, Linda, Helena, Carolyn, Diane and Kathy, and her nephews: John, Felix, Clarence, Carl, Claude II and III, Michael, and Martin.

 

Shirley will forever be loved and missed. She had a profound impact on everyone who knew her, especially her close-knit family. Many thanks to the wonderful doctors and staff at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital/Philadelphia for their care and kindness. 

 

Services are private.

 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the special place she loved to visit with her daughter, Sheryl, Assateague Island National Seashore Park, assateagueisland.com, to care for the wild ponies.