Barbara Smith Mitchell

MITCHELL, BARBARA SMITH 82, passed away very peacefully on December 14, 2014 with her children by her side. Barbara was a lifelong resident of Central Falls, Rhode Island, where she was born on November 14, 1932 to Louis and Elizabeth Burns Smith. She was one of six children in an extended Irish family that included many aunts, uncles and cousins. She graduated from Central Falls High School in 1950 and attended Rhode Island College, where she received a bachelor's degree in education in 1954. After college, Barbara fell in love with her future husband, Robert Mitchell, also from Central Falls. They married in 1956 and settled in their home on Cross Street, where they raised their family and lived happily for the rest of their lives. Barbara and Bob had five children and were married for over 51 years prior to Bob's death in 2008. They had an exceptional marriage, and Bob's passing left a void in Barbara's life. In spite of how much she missed him, she found strength through her devotion to her family and friends, which carried her through her later years. In her professional life, Barbara was an elementary school teacher. She taught third grade and fifth grade in the Central Falls school system for twenty-six years before retiring in 1996. Barbara believed strongly in the importance of public education and took great pride in the teaching profession. She was quick to stand up for students and colleagues, both inside and outside the classroom. She was a dedicated, hard-working and caring educator who touched the lives of many students and co-workers over the course of her career. Barbara's family was the center of her life. She leaves five children: Robin M. Walsh, and her husband, David Walsh, of Avon, CT; Michael F. Mitchell, and his wife Joanne F. Mitchell, of Central Falls, RI; Elizabeth M. Gillespie, and her husband, Scott Gillespie, of Arundel, Maine; John P. Mitchell, and his wife, Kristin Pedersen, of Seekonk, MA, and Daniel J. Mitchell, and his wife, Carolyn D. Mitchell, of Scarborough, ME. She also leaves two great-grandchildren, Michael R. Lockhart and Jackson G. Lockhart of Central Falls, RI. She leaves eight exceptional grandchildren: Ryan Walsh of Boston, MA, Brendan Walsh of New Haven, CT, Erin Mitchell of Central Falls, RI, Caroline Walsh of Seattle, WA, Christopher Gillespie of Arundel, ME, Katherine Gillespie of Arundel, ME, Robert J. Mitchell of Scarborough, ME, and George Mitchell of Scarborough, ME. Barbara was pre-deceased by her husband, Robert G. Mitchell, her brother-in-law, Frank Mitchell, her sister-in-law, Evelyn Mitchell, her sister, Gertrude Smith Hoogasian, her brother, James Smith, and her sister, Lois Smith. She is survived by her sisters Ellen S. Simmerer of Cranston, RI, and Elizabeth Lanoue of Carlsbad, California, as well as her brother-in-law, Donald C. Mitchell of Chelmsford, MA, and her sister-in-law, Beverly D. Mitchell of Chelmsford, MA. Barbara also is survived by many nieces and nephews whom she loved very much. Barbara was a kind, generous, intelligent and, above all, loving person who always put others ahead of herself. Although she will be greatly missed by those she leaves behind, we rejoice in knowing that she took complete satisfaction in her life and now is reunited with Bob. Calling hours will be on Wednesday, December 17th, from 4 to 8 p.m. at J.J. Duffy Funeral Home, 757 Mendon Road, Rte. 122, Cumberland. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Thursday, December 18th, at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph Church, 1303 Mendon Road, Cumberland, with a burial service to follow at Resurrection Cemetery, Cumberland. After the burial service, family and friends are invited to attend a repast at Kirkbrae Country Club, 197 Old River Road, Lincoln. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Adams Public Library, 205 Central St., Central Falls, RI 02863. Directions/Guest Book: jjduffyfuneralhome.com