Catherine Josephine Mitchell

With heavy hearts, the family of Catherine J. Mitchell announces her passing on January 5, 2025, at the age of 92. A faithful servant of God, Catherine peacefully left this world surrounded by loved ones.

Catherine was born on June 24,1932 in Plate Cove East, Newfoundland, to loving parents, Stephen and Margaret Keough. She was a woman of deep faith and steadfast dedication, always guided by the values of love, sacrifice, and service. She met her future husband, Richard Mitchell, while he was stationed at Pepperrell AFB in St. John’s, Newfoundland Canada. They were married in Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Kingfisher, OK on November 30, 1957. Over the next 19 years, Catherine embraced the life of a military wife with grace and resilience, moving with her husband and children across the United States, and Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. After Richard’s retirement from the military, they lived the next 45 years in Kingfisher, Oklahoma, where they were devoted members of the catholic community and enjoyed many activities with their children and grandchildren. 

Catherine was the proud mother of three children—Shirley, Stephen, and Sonya—and she nurtured each one with the love and wisdom of a woman who had experienced the full breadth of life's joys and challenges. She instilled in her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren the values of hard work, kindness, and faith. 

Catherine’s faith was the cornerstone of her life, and she took great comfort in knowing that God was with her through all of life's trials. She found joy in small moments—whether it was a quiet afternoon spent knitting, a shared meal with family, or to pray the rosary for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

In addition to her role as a wife and mother, Catherine had a deep passion for hospitality. Her home was always open, especially when in Newfoundland, for a cup of tea and sweet treat or her homemade bread. She loved having her friends and family visit and creating an atmosphere where all felt welcome and loved. Her kindness, her laughter, and her unwavering strength will be remembered by all who knew her.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Richard Mitchell; parents Stephen Keough and Margaret Keough Dooley; brothers Felix, Michael, William, and John Thomas Keough; sisters Lucille Mooers, Philomena Walsh and Mary Cook; and infant grandson, Mark A. Mitchell.

Catherine is survived by her children Shirley Scott (Rocky) of Tulsa, OK, Stephen Mitchell (Laura) of Colorado Springs, CO, and Sonya Auffet (Dr. Rodney) of Benkelman, NE; grandchildren, Brett Scott (Grace) of Tulsa, OK, Matthew Mitchell of Colorado Springs, CO, Chad Scott (Kendall) of Dallas, TX, Miranda Loflin (Jacob) of Abilene, TX, and Nathan Auffet of Lincoln, NE; great-grandchildren, Shepherd and Jack Scott (Brett), and Blair Scott (Chad), with another great-grandchild due in March. 

Catherine Mitchell was a woman of profound faith, unwavering devotion, and selfless love. Though she is no longer with us, her legacy will live on in the hearts of her family, the memories of her friends, and the countless lives she touched throughout her years. May she rest in eternal peace.

The Rosary will be held on Friday, January 10 at 9:30 am, followed by the Funeral Mass at 10:00 m. Both will be held at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Stillwater, OK. Burial will be at Kingfisher Cemetery, where she will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Catholic Social Services (colscss.org). 

Dighton Marler Funeral Home in Stillwater is in charge of the arrangements (dightonmarler.com).