Joanne L. Mitchell M.D.

Joanne L. Mitchell, M.D., age 70, a prominent Boston Pediatrician and former longtime Holliston resident, died peacefully on Monday, August 15, 2016 at the Stanley R. Tippett Hospice Home in Needham. She was the devoted wife of Jonathan A. Betts. Born in Providence, Rhode Island, she was the daughter of the late Helen A. (Hennessey) and Stephen H. Mitchell, Jr. Joanne was raised and educated in Cranston and earned her Baccalaureate in German and Pre Med from Trinity College in Washington, D.C. She then completed her Master of Education in Child Studies at Tufts University. Joanne married and settled in Rehoboth, where she created a warm and fostering environment for her growing family. In 1978, Joanne decided to pursue her dream of a career in medicine. Returning to Brown for postgraduate study with the goal of entering their Program in Medicine, Joanne prevailed and, at 41, was awarded her Doctor of Medicine in 1987. The new Dr. Mitchell served a residency in Pediatric Medicine at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center in Worcester followed by a two year Clinical Fellowship at Childrens Hospital in Boston. Dr. Mitchells varied and distinguished career focused largely on the care of children and young adults with developmental and other disabilities. While much of her work was clinical, she also taught and oversaw research activities for over fifteen years at Harvard University, was published numerous times, and spoke often at various venues across the country. A member of the medical staff, either active or in an advisory capacity at Childrens Hospital from 1992 until 2012, Dr. Mitchell was awarded the Childrens Hospital, Boston, Community Pediatrician Award in 2006. She had a special affinity for the Massachusetts Hospital School in Canton, and served them in a multitude of ways throughout her career. She is survived her husband, Jon; her sons, Nathan R. Giuttari of Taunton and J. Aiden Giuttari of Brooklyn, NY; three brothers, Robert S. Mitchell and his wife Renee of Newton Highlands, Chrys Mitchell of Cedar Rapids, IA, and Stephen E. Mitchell and his wife Dawn of Port Charlotte, FL; and her nieces and nephews, Alison, Todd, Douglas, Timothy, Bevin, Caitlin, and Kiel. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Saint Therese of Lesieux Church, 25 South Main Street (Rte 27) Sherborn, on Saturday, August 20th at 10:00AM. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Burial will be private at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to United Cerebral Palsy of MetroWest, 71 Arsenal St, Watertown, MA 02472 (www. ucpboston.org). Arrangements are with John Everett & Sons, 4 Park Street at Natick Common. To leave a message for Dr. Mitchells family, please visit www. everettfuneral.com.