Mary Carolyn Mitchell

Mary Carolyn Mitchell, beloved mother, grandmother, and friend, passed peacefully in her sleep on July 18, 2026. She was born in Pittsburg, Kansas on August 23, 1927, to Mary Nelson and B.F. (Bill) Daugherty. In the fall of 1945, she attended the University of Kansas, where she became a member of the Chi Omega sorority, Sigma Alpha Iota music sorority, and studied voice under the direction of Joseph Wilkins. An extremely talented musician and vocalist, Mary Carolyn presented a senior voice recital in March of 1949, which brought intensive musical value and audience appeal.

While at KU, Mary Carolyn met and fell in love with David F. Mitchell. The two were married on November 5, 1949, and moved to Tulsa, where she called home for the remainder of her life. She became an extremely active member of her community, serving on the Junior Boards of the Children’s Day Nursery and Children’s Home, working at the Tulsa City County Library, acting as President of her P.E.O. chapter, and serving Meals on Wheels for many years. Additionally, she was a member of First Presbyterian Church, serving as a deaconess, circle leader, and was an active choir member for many years. Between her generous spirit in the community and kindhearted, outgoing demeanor, she developed and fostered many, many dear friendships. She was the type of friend who so clearly prioritized her relationships, whether it was through frequent visits, phone calls, or letter writing.

Her greatest accomplishments were her three children, seven grandchildren, and eleven great-grandchildren. As she put it, they were the “spices of her life!” She prided herself as a homemaker and after 50 years, she and her husband David repeated their wedding vows in November 1999.

Mary Carolyn is survived by her children John (Pam) Mitchell, Betsy (Brian) Gaudreau, and Jim (Lisa) Mitchell, along with her grandchildren Taylor and Matt Mitchell, Katie (Nick) Brewer, Jay (Leeze) Gaudreau, Megan (Dallas) Kaunley, Carley (Blake) Gerow, and Peter Mitchell, as well as her great-grandchildren Will, Grady, and Cal Brewer, Vivie, Heidi, and Beau Gaudreau, Caroline, Emmie, and Tommy Kaunley, and Georgie and Palmer Gerow.

More than all of her accolades, accomplishments, and community involvements, Mary Carolyn will be most missed and remembered for her quick wit, generosity toward friends and neighbors, uncanny sense of humor, and devotion to her most beloved roles of wife, mother, aunt, and grandmother.

The family wishes to thank the staff at both Inverness and Suncrest Hospice for the loving care Mary Carolyn received. 

The family requests in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to the David F. Mitchell Scholarship Fund Account #31801 at the University of Kansas, P.O. Box 928, Lawrence, KS 66044-0928.

A memorial service is scheduled for 2PM on Friday, August 14th, at First Presbyterian Church.