Geraldine Mary Mitchell died in Redwood City, California on the evening of Saturday, November 3rd in the loving company of her eldest son Steven. The Mitchell children had been on rotation staying with their mother for many days and nights. She was 90 years old.
Geraldine known most affectionately as "Gerry" was born on August 7, 1928 to Manuel and Theresa Cravalho in San Mateo. Gerry was the first born, with Clarence her brother and only sibling joining the family four years later.
Gerry was a happy and fun filled child. At a very young age, she felt the call to follow Jesus and did so by walking herself to Sunday Mass at St. Catherine's Catholic Church when she was seven. Gerry's walk of faith would become her greatest and most enduring quality throughout her life. The balance of her immediate family would follow Gerry on Sunday mornings some years later and today that "walk" spans three generations of Cravalho and Mitchell offspring.
Gerry attended Burlingame Elementary School and Burlingame High School. She was always surrounded by friends that wanted to be a part of her boundless joy and energy. And oh that smile! It was those Burlingame High friends that would make up the "Gang", who shared the company of one another throughout the best and worst of life, for the next seventy years. Gerry worked her early years at a Carnation ice cream counter and you can be sure she was an expert in her field as she loved the product she was "scooping up" (especially chocolate flavors). Later, she worked as an administrative assistant for Chevron Corporation.
But her greatest occupation began when she met Stanley Mitchell in June of 1951 in the raising of her family. Stan was a dashing electronic technician fresh out of the Navy and they married on July 6, 1952. Shortly after, the children started to arrive and the Mitchell household became a busy place with six kids in total. The Mitchells found their church home at St. Charles in San Carlos during the early 1960s and remained faithful parishioners all of their lives. Gerry served St. Charles as a lector and woman's retreat coordinator. Gerry was a servant, and it was her ministry and calling—not just to her family and friends but to everyone that would come in contact with her. Gerry had a communication "gift", like no other. She always took the time to share someone's joys or burdens in a unique and personal way--by phone, a simple touch on the arm, a look into one's eyes and soul, and then a word. Gerry understood that love is the greatest gift as Scripture records in 1 Corinthians 13. She coined a phrase, "I risk to love," meaning that by love and through love, one risks being misunderstood and rejected, yet Gerry would share a word or truth she believed you needed to hear for your own consideration, correction or encouragement. A wonderful and loving way to live life in service to others.
A life well lived. She will be greatly missed.
Gerry is survived by six children, Steven, Gary, Jeffrey, Michael, Randy, Julie and ten Grandchildren and seven Great Grandchildren.
Services will be held at St. Charles Catholic Church on Saturday, November 10th at 10:30 am with lunch to follow.
Source: Sneider & Sullivan & O'Connell's Funeral Home
Geraldine known most affectionately as "Gerry" was born on August 7, 1928 to Manuel and Theresa Cravalho in San Mateo. Gerry was the first born, with Clarence her brother and only sibling joining the family four years later.
Gerry was a happy and fun filled child. At a very young age, she felt the call to follow Jesus and did so by walking herself to Sunday Mass at St. Catherine's Catholic Church when she was seven. Gerry's walk of faith would become her greatest and most enduring quality throughout her life. The balance of her immediate family would follow Gerry on Sunday mornings some years later and today that "walk" spans three generations of Cravalho and Mitchell offspring.
Gerry attended Burlingame Elementary School and Burlingame High School. She was always surrounded by friends that wanted to be a part of her boundless joy and energy. And oh that smile! It was those Burlingame High friends that would make up the "Gang", who shared the company of one another throughout the best and worst of life, for the next seventy years. Gerry worked her early years at a Carnation ice cream counter and you can be sure she was an expert in her field as she loved the product she was "scooping up" (especially chocolate flavors). Later, she worked as an administrative assistant for Chevron Corporation.
But her greatest occupation began when she met Stanley Mitchell in June of 1951 in the raising of her family. Stan was a dashing electronic technician fresh out of the Navy and they married on July 6, 1952. Shortly after, the children started to arrive and the Mitchell household became a busy place with six kids in total. The Mitchells found their church home at St. Charles in San Carlos during the early 1960s and remained faithful parishioners all of their lives. Gerry served St. Charles as a lector and woman's retreat coordinator. Gerry was a servant, and it was her ministry and calling—not just to her family and friends but to everyone that would come in contact with her. Gerry had a communication "gift", like no other. She always took the time to share someone's joys or burdens in a unique and personal way--by phone, a simple touch on the arm, a look into one's eyes and soul, and then a word. Gerry understood that love is the greatest gift as Scripture records in 1 Corinthians 13. She coined a phrase, "I risk to love," meaning that by love and through love, one risks being misunderstood and rejected, yet Gerry would share a word or truth she believed you needed to hear for your own consideration, correction or encouragement. A wonderful and loving way to live life in service to others.
A life well lived. She will be greatly missed.
Gerry is survived by six children, Steven, Gary, Jeffrey, Michael, Randy, Julie and ten Grandchildren and seven Great Grandchildren.
Services will be held at St. Charles Catholic Church on Saturday, November 10th at 10:30 am with lunch to follow.
Source: Sneider & Sullivan & O'Connell's Funeral Home
Geraldine Mary Mitchell died in Redwood City, California on the evening of Saturday, November 3rd in the loving company of her eldest son Steven. The Mitchell children had been on rotation staying with their mother for many days and nights. She was 90 years old.
Geraldine known most affectionately as "Gerry" was born on August 7, 1928 to Manuel and Theresa Cravalho in San Mateo. Gerry was the first born, with Clarence her brother and only sibling joining the family four years later.
Gerry was a happy and fun filled child. At a very young age, she felt the call to follow Jesus and did so by walking herself to Sunday Mass at St. Catherine's Catholic Church when she was seven. Gerry's walk of faith would become her greatest and most enduring quality throughout her life. The balance of her immediate family would follow Gerry on Sunday mornings some years later and today that "walk" spans three generations of Cravalho and Mitchell offspring.
Gerry attended Burlingame Elementary School and Burlingame High School. She was always surrounded by friends that wanted to be a part of her boundless joy and energy. And oh that smile! It was those Burlingame High friends that would make up the "Gang", who shared the company of one another throughout the best and worst of life, for the next seventy years. Gerry worked her early years at a Carnation ice cream counter and you can be sure she was an expert in her field as she loved the product she was "scooping up" (especially chocolate flavors). Later, she worked as an administrative assistant for Chevron Corporation.
But her greatest occupation began when she met Stanley Mitchell in June of 1951 in the raising of her family. Stan was a dashing electronic technician fresh out of the Navy and they married on July 6, 1952. Shortly after, the children started to arrive and the Mitchell household became a busy place with six kids in total. The Mitchells found their church home at St. Charles in San Carlos during the early 1960s and remained faithful parishioners all of their lives. Gerry served St. Charles as a lector and woman's retreat coordinator. Gerry was a servant, and it was her ministry and calling—not just to her family and friends but to everyone that would come in contact with her. Gerry had a communication "gift", like no other. She always took the time to share someone's joys or burdens in a unique and personal way--by phone, a simple touch on the arm, a look into one's eyes and soul, and then a word. Gerry understood that love is the greatest gift as Scripture records in 1 Corinthians 13. She coined a phrase, "I risk to love," meaning that by love and through love, one risks being misunderstood and rejected, yet Gerry would share a word or truth she believed you needed to hear for your own consideration, correction or encouragement. A wonderful and loving way to live life in service to others.
A life well lived. She will be greatly missed.
Gerry is survived by six children, Steven, Gary, Jeffrey, Michael, Randy, Julie and ten Grandchildren and seven Great Grandchildren.
Services will be held at St. Charles Catholic Church on Saturday, November 10th at 10:30 am with lunch to follow.
Source: Sneider & Sullivan & O'Connell's Funeral Home
Geraldine known most affectionately as "Gerry" was born on August 7, 1928 to Manuel and Theresa Cravalho in San Mateo. Gerry was the first born, with Clarence her brother and only sibling joining the family four years later.
Gerry was a happy and fun filled child. At a very young age, she felt the call to follow Jesus and did so by walking herself to Sunday Mass at St. Catherine's Catholic Church when she was seven. Gerry's walk of faith would become her greatest and most enduring quality throughout her life. The balance of her immediate family would follow Gerry on Sunday mornings some years later and today that "walk" spans three generations of Cravalho and Mitchell offspring.
Gerry attended Burlingame Elementary School and Burlingame High School. She was always surrounded by friends that wanted to be a part of her boundless joy and energy. And oh that smile! It was those Burlingame High friends that would make up the "Gang", who shared the company of one another throughout the best and worst of life, for the next seventy years. Gerry worked her early years at a Carnation ice cream counter and you can be sure she was an expert in her field as she loved the product she was "scooping up" (especially chocolate flavors). Later, she worked as an administrative assistant for Chevron Corporation.
But her greatest occupation began when she met Stanley Mitchell in June of 1951 in the raising of her family. Stan was a dashing electronic technician fresh out of the Navy and they married on July 6, 1952. Shortly after, the children started to arrive and the Mitchell household became a busy place with six kids in total. The Mitchells found their church home at St. Charles in San Carlos during the early 1960s and remained faithful parishioners all of their lives. Gerry served St. Charles as a lector and woman's retreat coordinator. Gerry was a servant, and it was her ministry and calling—not just to her family and friends but to everyone that would come in contact with her. Gerry had a communication "gift", like no other. She always took the time to share someone's joys or burdens in a unique and personal way--by phone, a simple touch on the arm, a look into one's eyes and soul, and then a word. Gerry understood that love is the greatest gift as Scripture records in 1 Corinthians 13. She coined a phrase, "I risk to love," meaning that by love and through love, one risks being misunderstood and rejected, yet Gerry would share a word or truth she believed you needed to hear for your own consideration, correction or encouragement. A wonderful and loving way to live life in service to others.
A life well lived. She will be greatly missed.
Gerry is survived by six children, Steven, Gary, Jeffrey, Michael, Randy, Julie and ten Grandchildren and seven Great Grandchildren.
Services will be held at St. Charles Catholic Church on Saturday, November 10th at 10:30 am with lunch to follow.
Source: Sneider & Sullivan & O'Connell's Funeral Home
Family Members
Siblings
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
