Sandra Jeanne Mitchell

Sandra (Sandy) Mitchell, 83, was born in Lodi, CA to Woodrow H. and M. Jeanette Mitchell. She attended schools in Lodi, graduating from Lodi Union High School in 1957. She continued her education in Berkeley, graduating from University of California Berkeley with a B.A. in Zoology in 1961. Following that she studied secondary education at San Francisco State College and Oregon College of Education in Monmouth, OR. Later, while raising a family, she earned an M.S. and PhD in Foods and Nutrition at Oregon State University.

Ms. Mitchell married Joseph Blaha in 1963 and had three children - Steven, Jennifer and Margaret. They lived in many places including San Francisco; Ukiah, CA; Dallas, OR; Chico, CA; Corvallis, OR; and San Luis Obispo, CA.

She held a number of teaching positions at St. Paul’s High School, San Francisco; Notre Dame High School, San Francisco; Mt. Angel College, Mt. Angel, OR; Dallas Junior High School, Dallas, OR; Chemeketa Community College, Salem, OR; Chapman College, Vandenburg AFB, CA; and was Associate Professor in Home Economics and Nutrition at Chico State University, Chico, CA; and Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, CA. Sandra was also a WIC Coordinator for Polk County, OR and retired from San Joaquin General Hospital, Stockton, CA as a Medical Nutrition Therapist and Food Management Counselor.

Sandra had a life-long passion for learning, politics and travel. When she wasn’t researching family history, political figures, nutritional updates or her latest interest in the evolution of dietary habits, she would travel. Sandra joined many Road Scholar tours all over the United States usually focusing on U.S. history and could spend hours in museums and at historical sites.

Once retired, Sandra moved from Lodi to be closer to her grandchildren in Portland, OR. She was an avid antique collector and reseller of all things of beauty and interest, calling herself “Eclectic Sandra.” She was also a devoted volunteer to Meals on Wheels, rarely missing her delivery route.

Sandra loved her gardens wherever she lived. While her children were growing, she had an enormous vegetable garden. In Lodi she reimagined the landscaping of her parents’ family home. And in her final years enjoyed the beautiful seasonal changes in her Portland yard.

Sandra was preceded in death by her husband, Joe Blaha; nephew, Ivan Mitchell; daughter-in-law, Tanya Correll-Blaha; and partner Hugh Sadler. She is survived by her siblings, Barry Mitchell (Judith) and Sally Sundsten (Sam); children, Steven Blaha, Jennifer Blaha and Margaret Blaha; grandchildren Stella Blaha, Hank Blaha and Kyla Talley; eight great grandchildren and two nephews.

There will be a celebration of life held for family and friends in the spring. Donations may be made in her memory to Meals on Wheels, https://give.mowp.org/give/414913#!/donation/checkout or the charity of your choice.