Mary (Faherty) Mitchell

Mary passed away peacefully at home with family by her side on August 20, 2024. At the age of 95. 

She lived a long beautiful life.  Mary was born in The Dalles, Oregon May 31, 1929 to parents Thomas Faherty and Mary Dinnen and was the oldest of four. Mary’s Parents were from Ireland.  Her dad came from County Galway and her mom from County Leitrim.  Mary spent her youth in many places across eastern Oregon: Biggs Jct, Ontario, Drewsey, Maupin, and The Dalles.  In 1947 graduated from St. Mary’s Academy High School in The Dalles. She then moved to Portland, Oregon to attend Providence School of Nursing, graduating class of 1950. Mary worked at Providence, the old St. Vincent, Holladay Park, and Riverside Psychiatric hospital. 

Mary kept in touch with her high school classmates through reunions. She met with her Holladay Park coworkers at luncheons.  She attended reunions and lunches for years with her Providence classmates – the last lunch being July of 2023. Mary was the last of her classmates in the Portland area.

Mary met the love of her life Phil Mitchell in Portland.  Phil was from Ireland and came from the same parish in County Leitrim as her mother.  They were married May 22, 1954 and began a partnership of love, respect, commitment, and faith.  They raised five children and got to spoil three granddaughters with love and affection. They had almost 56 years together.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband Phil, her son Phil Jr., and her brother James Faherty.  Mary is survived by her daughter-in-law Sandra Mitchell, daughters Mary Cree (Mark), Anne Mitchell, Therese Mitchell (Paul Riggs), son Pat Mitchell, granddaughters Katherine, Marybeth, and Tara Cree, brothers Tom and John.  Mary is also survived by many cousins, nieces and nephews in the United States, Ireland and England.

Mary was most proud of being a mom and a gramma.  She was a good listener, empathetic, and always a strong advocate for you.  I imagine these qualities also made her a good wife, daughter, sister, cousin, auntie, nurse and a kind person to all she met.  Mary was known for her kindness and generosity to others.

Mary was also known for her Irish soda bread.  She enjoyed baking it and sharing it especially over a cup of tea. She was loved and admired by many and will be greatly missed.

The Rosary, Monday, 8/26, at 7:00 pm, at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church. 25 N. Rosa Parks Way, Portland, OR, 97217.

An Irish wake will follow the Rosary.

Funeral Mass, Tuesday, 8/27, at 11:00 am, at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church.

Graveside burial service, Tuesday, 8/27, at 12:30 pm, Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery, 333 SW Skyline Blvd, Portland, OR 97221

In memory of Mary, those wishing may contribute to St. Vincent de Paul, Holy Redeemer. 25 N. Rosa Parks Way, Portland, OR 97217, holyredeemerpdxchurch.org Parish Ministries tab, or to the charity of your choice.

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