Mary Agnes Mitchell

1934 - 2023

Mary Agnes Mitchell
May 29, 1934 - February 5, 2023
Independence, Missouri - Mary Mitchell, a long-time resident of Independence, was a talented, kind, giving woman, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend.
Mary grew up in North Kansas City, one of 7 children of John Paul and Lena McConnell Spanbauer. She graduated from Northeast High School in 1952. She took her high school portfolio to Hallmark and was hired on the spot as a Hallmark artist. She was an incredibly talented artist who created watercolor backgrounds on greeting cards, and proudly displayed her paintings in art fairs in the KC area. After her retirement in 1996, she continued to paint, sharing her talent with her grandchildren and great grandchildren, and creating cards and paintings for her family and friends. She enjoyed travelling around the Midwest, to Colorado, and to Italy to get inspiration for her work, as well as painting trees and flowers she saw near her home.
In 1957, she met John Mitchell, the man who would become the love of her life. They married in 1960, and were together until his death in 2008. They raised three children (Jean, John Jr. and Jeff) in their close-knit community of Stuart Heights in Independence where she lived for over 50 years.
She was thrilled to become a grandmother and one of her greatest joys was lovingly doting on her five grandchildren and her two great grandchildren. She enjoyed sewing and quilting, and family breakfasts at Lake Jacomo. She loved going to coffeeshops to drink coffee and for the community there. She was known for her hugs and cheery demeanor, and also known for her cheesy potatoes, deviled eggs, and shrimp dip.
She is survived by her daughter Jean M. Alfano (Tony), son John T. Mitchell, Jr. (Deb), and son Jeffrey V. Mitchell (Kathy), by her brother Bernard Spanbauer and sisters Delores Williams and Renee Spanbauer, and by her grandchildren Sarah Alfano (Brett Waguespack), Andrew Mitchell, Alec Mitchell, and Chase Mitchell and by great grandsons Keegan Waguespack and Brooks Waguespack.
The family is grateful for the care she received from the staff at Ignite St. Mary's and Ascend Hospice.
Funeral services will be held Monday, February 13 at St. Mark's Church at 3736 S Lee's Summit Rd, Independence, MO. Visitation will be at 10:00 followed by Mass at 11:00.