Arlene passed away Thursday, Jan. 31, 2019, in Boise, with family by her side. Arlene Harvey Mitchell was born Jan. 22, 1930, in Lewiston. She was the daughter of Dave and Olive Biddison Harvey (deceased) and wife of Mike P. Mitchell (deceased). Arlene had two sisters, Lucille (deceased) and Carol, and one brother, Floyd (deceased).
She is survived by her younger sister, Carol Joyce Anderson; sister-in-law Doris Olin; three daughters, Chris Pelton (Ron), Cory Samson (Mark) and Molly Harker (J. Mike, deceased); six grandchildren, Stephanie Zerba (Michael), Jacyln Clabby (Casey), Dausen Harker (Emma), McKenzie Harker (Jon), Kelsey Givens (Cody) and Mitch Samson (Lauren); and 8½ great-grandchildren, Hayden, Veronica, Tripp, Lauren, Sebastian, Gabriel, Austin and Mikey.
Arlene graduated from Lewiston High School in May 1948. She married Mike P. Mitchell on May 5, 1950. Mike and Arlene traveled the world: Canada, Europe, Asia and Mexico, creating lifelong friends and memories. Arlene had a productive and meaningful life. She especially loved and enjoyed her family, friends and community. She supported Mike in his work as a legislator while pursuing her own endeavors with quiet grace. She was involved in the Lewiston P.E.O. and was an avid golfer until about 2014. She was president-elect at the Clarkston Women’s Golf Association from November 1978 to November 1979, president from November 1979 to November 1980, Ways and Means 1982 to 1983, and tournament chairwoman from 1983 to 1985.
Arlene was a member on the Health and Welfare Region II Advisory Board from 1975 to 1987. She served as chairman from March 1976 to 1977 and again from October 1984 to September 1987. She also served in the Idaho Legislature as acting representative in 1983 and 1985 and acting senator in 1980. She and Mike loved Lewis-Clark State College. Over the years, they often sponsored many women athletes in volleyball and basketball.
Arlene was a supportive and wonderful wife to Mike. She was a loving and attentive mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. As a young friend once wrote, “You were not just a beautiful woman, but you had a silent strong presence as a person. The silent strength is part and parcel of what you are. You weren’t just a support system, but the foundation of your family.”
Because of the caring and tender daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother that she was, Arlene Mitchell will be deeply and sorely missed. But greater than the sorrow from her death is the joy that she spread in her life. Her wisdom and love will continue to guide each one of us and our families throughout our lives. Per the family request, in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Lewis-Clark State Foundation, Nez Perce County Democrats or Lewiston City Recreation Valley Skate Park.
A funeral will be at 9 a.m. Monday at Vassar-Rawls Funeral Home in Lewiston. Burial will follow at Normal Hill Cemetery.
Service Information
- Date & Time
- Monday, February 18, 9:00 AM
- Location
-
Vassar-Rawls Funeral Home
920-21st Avenue
Lewiston, Idaho 83501
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- Burial will follow at Normal Hill Cemetery.
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