California - Sofia Miriam (Mimi) Mitchell passed away with family at her side in Fresno, California. She was born to Ilmi and Andrew Alexander Junttila in the country woods of the Upper Peninsula, Michigan. Her family moved to National Mine and then Negaunee before she was five. She met David Mitchell (1935-2012) in 1950 at a ski tournament, and they married, as high school sweethearts, in 1951.

Moving was a constant in her remarkable life. She lived in Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, California (several times), Oregon, Arizona, Washington, D.C., and Washington state, as well as in St. George's, Grenada (Peace Corps), St. Petersburg, Russia and Alexandria, Egypt (International Executive Service Corps).

In 1981, after much perseverance throughout the moves, she received her MA in Education with a specialty in Reading Improvement. She taught elementary school kids in Pacoima, California and adults at Santa Monica Community College. She loved teaching and following retirement, volunteered as a reading tutor. Even after all the years and moves, she would hear from appreciative and well-remembered former students.

She was a generous grandma, making books for seven grandchildren and attending their stuffed animal tea parties, concerts at home, and all their graduations. She read with them at any opportunity - in a cozy rocking chair or outside beneath the shade of a tree. She and Dave valued providing the grandkids with new experiences, including visiting the Jet Propulsion Lab, exploring the beaches in Santa Monica and Bandon, Oregon, and playing "Name That Tune" while walking in Pacific Palisades Park. Later, Grandma Miriam celebrated the arrival of each of her seven great-grandchildren. On October 23, 2025 she became a great-great-grandma.

In addition to her grandkids, great-grandkids, and great-great granddaughter, she is survived by her three children, Jeff (Rosa), Elisabeth (David), Paul, and other family members including Vickey, Charlotte, and nephews and nieces.

We thank Merrill Gardens in Tacoma, WA and Cedarbrook Memory Care in Fresno, CA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Elderwise in Seattle, WA, or any dementia care or research organization of your choice.