Sylvia Mae Mitchell, 73, of Gardnerville, NV., died Thursday November 7th at home with family at her side.      She was born to the late Thomas and Ensel Stratton, January 22, 1940, in Washington, DC. She married the late Walter Lee Mitchell in Virginia in 1960 and moved to San Jose, California shortly there after where she lived until she moved to Nevada in 1994.  Sylvia dedicated her life to her children and helping others, including volunteering several days a week at the Douglas County Senior Center for the past seven years and worked with Carson Valley Sertoma and Young at Heart Senior Citizen Clubs on many fund raising projects. Sylvia was awarded the State of Nevada Governor’s Senior Samaritan Award in May of 2009 by Governor Jim Gibbons. Sylvia spent her free time playing bingo and scrabble with family and friends.  She loved to read and solve crossword puzzles. 
   Sylvia always had a smile on her face and often was heard singing songs from her past, she had a personality larger then life itself and when she walked into a room of people the room always came to life with laughter.          Sylvia is survived by her daughter and son-in-law; Cynthia Dawn and Douglas Allen Petersen of Gardnerville, NV; her son, Timothy Brian Mitchell of Manteca, California and six brothers and sisters; Thomas Stratton, David Stratton, David Sky, Dalene Heltzel, Carol Jones and Mary Dee Short, along with many nieces and nephews and her best friend, Maryann Vido.        Sylvia preceded in death by her sons, Anthony Wayne Mitchell, Walter Lee Mitchell Jr. and her daughter, Donna Juanita Mitchell.
   The family would like to say thank you to the family, friends and the St. Mary’s Hospice team for making Sylvia’s final days comfortable. 
   A viewing will be held at 4:00 pm and Services at 4:30pm on Friday, the 15th of  November at the Carson Valley United Methodist Church, 1375 Centerville Lane, Gardnerville, NV. 
  A Celebration of life will be held at the Douglas County Senior Center at 2300 Meadow Lane, Gardnerville, NV, immediately following the service.

Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
Friday, November 15, 2013