April 6, 1926 – July 27, 2021
Inez Evangeline Elanore Mitchell, 5th of 8 children of Nils and Clara Holmgren, passed away at Lake of the Woods Hospital on July 27, 2021. Predeceased by daughter, Pamela; her parents and husband, Bill; brothers, Ture, Donald, Royal, Eder and David; nephews, Randy Resky and Curtis Holmgren. Surviving are two sisters, Phyllis from Winnipeg, Glenda from Kenora.
Inez love for special needs children prompted her to go to Toronto and take a course as a teacher in a kindergarten for special needs. At the age of 50 she took the RNA course and worked at LWDH on the chronic care ward until retiring.
She also suffered from diabetes and the many side effects of it, some being; high blood pressure and arthritis.
Inez instilled the love and importance of family to three generations of nieces and nephews. She loved her camp which was another gathering place for her extended family. The close relations between her nieces and nephews are a direct result of her example and teaching.
She was the family historian, knowing who everyone was going back many generations. Always a camera in hand, she documented celebrations and the everyday happenings of her siblings’ families. Photography was not her only artistic ability. She was exceptional at any and all crafts she undertook.
Those with vulnerability held a special place in her heart. She was an educator and staunch supporter of those with special needs and as a nurse cared for the elderly.
Aunt Inez’s priority was her daughter, Pamela. No matter what else was going on in her life, she never lost sight of Pam’s needs, safety and happiness. Justice was also an important issue –she fought for Pam and herself but also those she loved. When she loved you she took you into her heart. If you needed something she would give you what she had. If she thought you were making a mistake she would tell you, in hopes of sparing you from the consequences of your foolishness.
Aunt Inez loved children, all children, whether nieces and nephews, Pam’s friends who were also special needs, or her friends’ children. She worked tirelessly to raise money for programs, education, and other needs for Kenora’s special need children. She was always interested in the loved of the children she knew. In the summertime, nieces and nephews were invited to her cottage.
Christmas was her favorite holiday, and she often said, “Christmas is for children”. Her annual Christmas Eve dinner was a highlight of our year as the entire family celebrated together. Baking Christmas cookies, buying gifts for the children in her family, decorating her house and tree all gave her great pleasure into her 80’s. Aunt Inez accepted the Lord Jesus as her Savior as a young woman of 18 after nearly drowning at 16. Over the course of her life, she learned to trust God in every difficult situation. She often shared the mistakes she made and the hard lessons she had learned without minimizing her own responsibility or aggerating the blame on the other person.
A service was held on August 3, 2021 at the Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Centre officiated by Dr. Gary Drieger of Pembina Valley Baptist Church which founded the Victory Baptist church in Kenora. Heartfelt thanks to Dr. Bowerman and staff at KGH and Homecare workers for taking care of her.
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his Saints. Psalm 116:15
Online condolences may be made www.brownfuneralhomekenora.com
Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Centre entrusted with arrangements.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
v.1.8.18