Irene Mitchel, Ed.D., Professor Emeritus of Art at East Stroudsburg University, passed away into the hands of God on Friday, Dec. 3, 2021, at the age of 95.

Born Jan. 30, 1926, in Hanover Township, she was a daughter of the late John and Anna Petrushka Mitchel.

A graduate of Hanover High School, Irene earned her bachelor's degree from Kutztown University and her master's degree and a doctorate in education from Penn State University.

Her true loves were her family, school, and students. Irene shared her passion for art and teaching with the students at East Stroudsburg University from 1961 until her retirement in 2008. During her years at ESU, she served several times as department chair and director of the Madelon Powers Gallery. Through the years, Dr. Mitchel organized student trips to New York City. From the mid-'70s to the late 1990s, she led summer tours or taught summer study-aboard courses, including multiple trips to Japan, Russia, China, Salzburg, Austria and France, and expeditions to India, Turkey, Egypt and throughout Western Europe.

Her sisters, Mary Kurello and Helen Stetz, a nephew, Dr. Drew Stetz, and niece, Cindy Stetz, preceded her in death.

Her nieces, Deborah Kurello Gonsky and Carol Stetz; great-nephews, Dr. Mark Edward Gonsky and Jonathan Gonsky; great-nieces, Lauren Stetz, Kathryn Porter and Julianne Stetz; great-great-nieces and nephews; other family and friends, including Wilhelm Danhorn, will miss her very much.

Celebration of Irene's Life begins Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021, with visitation starting at 9 a.m. followed by a prayer service at 10 a.m. at McLaughlin's, 142 S. Washington St. in Wilkes-Barre.

Donations to the Dr. Irene Mitchel Three Sisters Endowed Art Scholarship in Memory of Helen Mitchel Stetz and Mary Kurello, East Stroudsburg University Foundation, 200 Prospect St., East Stoudsburg, PA 18301, or to your preferred homeless shelter, will honor Irene's memory.

Learn more about Irene's experiences in education at https://quantum.esu.edu/insider/the-many-journeys-of-iren-mitchel/.

See Irene's artwork at https://www.flickr.com/photos/irene_mitchel.

Share memories and condolences with Irene's family at www.mjmclaughlin.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Pittston Dispatch from Dec. 6 to Dec. 7, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Irene Mitchel

9 Entries

Deb

December 1, 2024

Rest in peace Aunt Renee

Deborah A Pride

December 1, 2022

Auntie Irene,

Rest In Peace.

I am grateful you exposed me to East Stroudsburg University.

Love
Deb

Delilah Kistler Michales

December 9, 2021

I am so sad to read of Dr. Mitchel's passing. She was my Art Professor at East Stroudsburg University. I was lucky enough to travel with her on two amazing Spring Break trips: Egypt in 1985 and the Soviet Union in 1989. I have wonderful memories of these once in a lifetime trips. Dr. Mitchel attended my wedding and our friendship grew as we got together throughout the years. When my twins were born she was quick with unique beautiful calligraphy notes, always remembering birthdays, and holidays, with clever one of a kind art work. She was so stylish always wearing beautiful jewelry, smart, precise, creative, and a skilled world traveler. She will always live on in my heart. Please accept my deepest condolences.

Delilah Kistler Michales

Jolene

December 8, 2021

Very sorry for your loss. Your aunt was a special person and you were a wonderful niece looking out for her and taking care of her during her time of need

Jolene

December 8, 2021

Sorry for your loss. She was a special person to you and you took wonderful care of her during her greatest time of need.

Harun Gultekin

December 8, 2021

First time I met with her in 2001.
I was returning lab keys to security and she was there. Her first words was "you have a beautiful face" then we became friends.
I am sorry to loosing her.

Edward Moran

December 8, 2021

I've known Irene Mitchel since my childhood. More than seventy years ago, my great-uncle and -aunt Michael and Loretta Murray lived next door to the Mitchels on Hazle Street, which is how I came to know this remarkable lady. I still remember visiting Irene as a four-year-old when she opened my eyes to the beauties of art and opened my ears to the beauties of classical music. One day, she asked me to choose one of her craft creations to take home. Despite my mother's disapproval, I selected a homely owl over a charming butterfly--was she teaching me that it is better to be wise than to be attractive? :-) I last saw Irene about a decade ago, at a memorial service for my late partner, the artist Shozo Nagano, whose works she included in two shows at ESU over the years. Well done, Irene, the world needs more border-crossing people like you: intellectual, creative, open-minded, humanitarian. Thank you for helping me see the intrinsic value of human endeavour at an early age.

Deborah A Pride

December 7, 2021

I am grateful for Auntie Rennie taking me to her home in Stroudsburg. Best trips ever! Our big treat going to the college cafeteria.
Who would have ever thought that I would attend ESU? Grandma Mitchel knew. She said, someday I could go there too. ESU has afforded me wonderful opportunities & challenges.
I am grateful for the experiences that Auntie Rennie & family have given me.
God bless your soul Auntie Rennie. May the perpetual light shine upon your soul.

Love,
Deb

Aleta

December 7, 2021

Sorry to learn that your Aunt Irene died, Debbie.

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