MITCHELL, Patricia Rose (Leclaire) of Wellesley, died peacefully on September 17, 2022 with her family by her side after a courageous battle with cancer. Beloved wife of the late Emlyn (Mike) V. Mitchell Jr. of Wellesley. Cherished mother of Andrew Mitchell and his husband Thiesco of Woburn; Matthew Mitchell of Webster; and Maria Mitchell and her husband Patrick Burke of Jericho, VT. Loving grandmother to Molly, Anna and Patrick Burke. Dear sister of Christine McKay and the late Paul Leclaire. Pat is also survived by countless cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends.
Pat was born April 24, 1934 in Oxford, MA, the youngest child of Ernest and Pauline Leclaire. Pat grew up in Oxford, MA, and attended Oxford High School, Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School, and Newton College of the Sacred Heart. After college, she lived and worked in Boston and met the love of her life, Emlyn (Mike) Mitchell on a blind date. They were married on December 28, 1957 and moved to Wellesley in 1963, where she lived for the next 59 years.
While raising her three children, Pat provided childcare for many children in her home and eventually went on to work in the Wellesley Public School system for more than 25 years. She worked in school libraries, the high school athletic department and the high school guidance department. She was a passionate Wellesley Raiders fan!
Pat had many interests and talents, and was happiest when sharing her time with others. She was an active member of St. John the Evangelist Church and the Wellesley Senior Center. She was also involved in book clubs and quilting groups, and served many years as the class correspondent and reunion chair for Newton College. Most of all, Pat loved to bring friends and family together at her family’s camp on Webster Lake where she spent summers. She was known for the great meals she would serve on the porch, welcoming all friends and family who came to visit.
Above all, Pat was a deeply faithful woman, and devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend. Throughout her life, she stayed connected to friends from her youth, family members scattered across the country, college friends, and dear friends she made while raising her family and working in Wellesley. Her kind and generous spirit was a gift to all who knew her.
Funeral from the George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home, 477 Washington St. Wellesley on Wednesday, September 21, at 10am followed by a funeral Mass in St. John the Evangelist Church, 9 Glen Rd. Wellesley Hills at 11am. Relatives and friends kindly invited. Visiting hours on Tuesday, September 20, from 4-7pm. Interment in Vine Lake Cemetery, Medfield. In lieu of flowers expressions of sympathy may be made in Patricia’s memory to Catholic Charities.
Pat found comfort, especially recently, in saying the Rosary on a daily basis. With Pat’s passing, our hope is that family and friends will please say a rosary to remember her and bring comfort.