Leigh Mitchell

1939 - 2021

June 17, 1939 - March 11, 2021 Leigh Mitchell, film and television make-up artist, died March 11, after a 4 year battle with cancer. Born Mary Leigh Pattie, she combined the elegance and beauty of Meryl Streep, the dry wit of Elaine Stritch and a mischievous twinkle that was all her own. Raised in South Gate, CA, every wall in her childhood bedroom was plastered with photos of movie stars. In South Gate High School, where she was student body president, she lied about her age, and at 16 got a job as an usher at her local theatre. She spent countless joyful hours in the darkened theatre watching every play she could. She met the love of her life, Ron Mitchell, while they were onstage and they were inseparable until his death in 2006. Leigh had a beautiful voice, and when she would look into Ron's eyes and sing "It Had To Be You", every heart in the room would melt. Together they ran the White Oaks Theatre in Carmel Valley, spent a year in Australia becoming the first performers ever at the Sydney Opera House, and became mentors to virtually every young actor and artist they met. Leigh went on to become a make-up artist to the Hollywood stars. She helped create the iconic styles on Knots Landing, Picket Fences, LA Law, The Practice, and many others. She even traveled the American south with the fabulous ladies in Steel Magnolias. Leigh was truly her happiest hosting soirees, and her parties were legendary! If you were lucky enough to attend one, you could always count on 3 things: coupés of champagne, fabulous food, and loads of laughter! While in her company, she made you feel like the wittiest, most compelling companion on earth. Walking into her home felt like the softest landing imaginable. She and Ron retired to their dream house on the seaside cliffs of Depoe Bay, Oregon, where they spent years listening to the crashing of the ocean, and waving to "their" whales. After Ron's death, Leigh reinvented herself as a world traveler, both spiritually and physically. She delighted in taking cruises to "faraway places with strange sounding names". Leigh fought cancer like a warrior for 4 years until she knew it was time to rejoin her beloved Ron on March 11, 2021. Leigh is survived by her brother, Richard Pattie, her cousin Bob Moore and wife Vera, her God Children Emily, Dante and Juliette Goglia, David and Carrie Max, her great companion Dennis Gregg, and countless friends who will miss her dearly. She was a truly enchanting woman whose joie de vivre was captivating and contagious! Memorial services will be held later this year in Los Angeles."Give your heart and soul to meAnd life will always beLa vie en rose"