Andrea Stutz Mitchell

Loving wife and mother, intrepid traveler, devoted ESL teacher, and friend to many and varied people, Andrea S. Mitchell, 65, of Arlington, VA, died in Washington, DC, after a struggle with thrice-recurring breast cancer on February 4, 2024.

She was born in Albany, NY, to G. Frederick Stutz, a diplomat in the State Department, and Jo Ann Joslin. Andrea spent her formative years overseas — in postings to Morocco, Sudan, Jordan, India and Lebanon — and was an avid traveler and cultural explorer. She was educated in schools around the world, where she gained many lifelong friends. A self-described "third-culture kid," the traditions and customs of Andrea's home country often felt foreign to her and she occasionally mixed up common American idioms, to the delight of her family.

Upon graduating summa cum laude / Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Kentucky in 1981, Andrea returned to the Washington. At the Arent Fox law firm she met her husband of 37 years, Donald B. Mitchell. Don and Andrea connected instantly over their shared love of travel, eclectic music tastes, and sense of adventure. Upon their marriage the couple honeymooned for six weeks in Tanzania and Kenya, cementing a relationship that lasted a lifetime.

They raised three children while still managing to travel frequently — with babies and young children — to Morocco, Jamaica, Egypt, Jordan, Israel, Mexico, Belize, and India (four times!), and throughout the United States, especially the desert Southwest, which reminded Andrea of her desert countries' upbringing. Andrea often said the only experiences she regretted were the ones she hadn't had yet.

Later in life, Andrea obtained a Master's Degree in teaching English as a Second Language, which allowed her to combine her love of languages — she spoke Arabic fluently — with her compassion for our nation's newest residents. She taught at the Arlington REEP program and was beloved by her students.

Andrea is survived by her devoted spouse, Don; and her three children, Ashley, Adrienne, and Don III. She is also survived by her granddaughter, Alanna. She was expecting a grandson, who she so wished to hold. A memorial service will be held March 22, 2024 at Woodend Nature Sanctuary, Chevy Chase, MD. Donations can be made to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (brcf.org) or the Young Survival Coalition.