Mary Louise Mitchell

Mary Louise Mitchell, RN, 87, longtime resident of Lowell, MA, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at The Arbors at Dracut, surrounded by her loving family.
She was the beloved wife of the late Richard J. Mitchell Jr., who predeceased her in August of 2004.
Born in Lowell, MA, Mary was the cherished daughter of the late John F. Fitzgerald and Louise (Nolan) Fitzgerald. She was a proud graduate of Keith Hall High School, Class of 1955, and went on to earn her RN from the Catherine Laboure School of Nursing in Dorchester, MA, Class of 1958. Demonstrating a lifelong commitment to learning and helping others, she later earned a Bachelor's degree in Child Psychology from New England College in Henniker, NH, Class of 1977.
A true angel on Earth, Mary dedicated her professional life to caring for others, in particular, special needs children. She retired from the Lowell Public School system, where she served as the Special Education Nurse for over a decade. She was the inaugural City of Lowell Employee of the Month and the city's first Employee of the Year the same year. Her deep devotion and unwavering dedication to "her children" prompted the City of Lowell Public Schools to rename its Special Olympics The Mary Mitchell Games. She became certified in respite care for severe and profoundly involved children, often welcoming them into her home for days or weeks at a time when parents needed extra support. Prior to her service to Lowell Public Schools, she worked at Merrimack Special Education Collaborative in Tewksbury, and as the night supervisor at Bay State Rehabilitation in North Billerica.
Born and raised in her beloved Highlands section home, she resided there for 81 years, raising her own family, watching her children and grandchildren grow and thrive. A devoted member of St. Margaret of Scotland Church in Lowell, Mary remained a women of deep faith entire life. Mary found joy in the simple pleasures of life: long walks, Irish music, dancing, and, most of all, the company of her beloved family. Touching countless lives in her 87 years, she was loved by all who knew her.
She is survived by her son, Richard Mitchell III of Lowell; her daughters, Attorney Beth Mitchell, and her husband Daniel Palermo of St. Augustine, FL; Maureen Mitchell of Lunenburg, MA; and Katie Anderson and her husband Jon Novak of Derry, NH. She is also survived by her seven grandchildren, Caitlyn Moses, Nolan Palermo, Kaylie Palermo, Taryn Sickler, Emily Anderson, Molly Anderson, and Riley Mitchell; five great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She will be deeply missed by her siblings-in-law Winifred Beaton and her husband Paul of W. Yarmouth, Paul Mitchell and his wife Elena of Tewksbury, and Nancy Mitchell of Davenport, FL.
Mary was predeceased by her son-in-law Henry St. John, her brothers, John "Jack" Fitzgerald and David Fitzgerald, and her brothers-in-law Robert Mitchell and Thomas Mitchell.
FUNERAL NOTICE
Mary Louise Mitchell, Lowell, died May 17, 2025. Visiting hours Monday, June 9, 2025 from 3-7 PM at DOLAN FUNERAL HOME, 106 MIDDLESEX STREET, N. CHELMSFORD, MA. Funeral Tuesday, June 10, 2025, 10 AM at St. Margaret of Scotland Church, Lowell, MA. Burial in St. Patrick Cemetery, Lowell, MA. ARRANGEMENTS BY DOLAN FUNERAL HOME 978-251-4041. Guestbook at www.dolanfuneralhome.com