Mary L. Mitchell

Mary L. Mitchell, age 95 of Kenosha, died on Monday, May 11, 2015 at Canterbury Home.

Born in Jasper, MN on December 23, 1919, she was the daughter of the late Otto and Alma (Birdan) Friedrich.

Mary attended St. Olaf College and received her Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature in 1940, and received her Bachelor’s Degree in Library Science from the University of Minnesota in 1941.

After graduation Mary was employed as a Reference Librarian with the University of Minnesota. In 1942, she accepted a once in a lifetime offer and worked for the United States Bureau of Budget at the White House under President Roosevelt until 1944. In 1945, she began working with the Detroit Public Library System as Personnel Director and Assistant Director. In the late 1960’s she was hired to be a consultant with the Birmingham and Bloomfield Township Public Libraries. Her last professional position was with The Farmington Community Library where she built and planned The Farmington Hills Library. Mary was named in the “Who’s Who in Library Service” and “Foremost Women in Communication”.

On February 20, 1953 in Detroit, MI, she was united in marriage to James W. Mitchell, a Commercial Motion Picture Producer. He preceded her in death in 2001.

She was a member of the American Library Association, Michigan Library Association, Social Workers Club of Detroit, MI, Adult Education Society and Women’s Economic Club.

She enjoyed reading, playing bridge, traveling, visiting with family and friends, going to Barnes and Noble Book Store, visiting the library and walking. Mary was an owner of harness racing horses and she absolutely adored their natural beauty.

She is survived by her brother, Robert (Amy) Friedrich of CA; her nephew and niece, Stanley and Genevieve McCormick of Kenosha; her cousin, Marge Friedrich; her dear friends, Jill Locke, Donna Pieper and Lois Wehrmeister; and many other loving nieces and nephews.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the friends and staff at Canterbury Home for the companionship and care they provided.