Dorothy L. (Allen) Mitchell

Dorothy L. Mitchell, 64, of South Bend, IN, passed away at 7:52 p.m. Saturday, December 21, 2024 at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, IN, after a brief illness.

She was born on February 2, 1960 to Eddie Lee and Elvie (George) Allen in Chicago, IL, and has lived in South Bend, IN for over 30 years, coming from Three Rivers, MI.  Along with her father, Eddie Lee Allen; she was preceded in death by her husband, David Lee Mitchell, Sr.; one brother, Eddie Lee Allen, Jr.; and her stepfather, Johnnie T. Ross.

Dorothy graduated in 1978 from Mendon High School in Mendon, MI before receiving her Nursing Degree from the Memorial Hospital School of Nursing program in South Bend, IN.

She retired in 2022 from Memorial Hospital in South Bend, where she worked passionately as an Oncology Registered Nurse for several years. Receiving awards such as the Daisy Award and Spirit of Nursing Award. Prior to that, she worked as a Visiting Nurse for Memorial Home Care for 10 years.  

Dorothy and her late husband David were also the former owners of Mitchell’s Country Care for the Elderly in South Bend from 1996-2013.

On September 6, 1986, as Dorothy L. Allen, she married David Lee Mitchell, Sr. at Progressive Missionary Baptist Church in South Bend, IN. To this union two children were born, Lauren Kelsey and David Lee, Jr.

Dorothy is survived by; a daughter, Lauren Kelsey Mitchell (husband, Frank Mwaisaka) of Osceola, IN and their two children, Isaiah F. Mwaisaka and Imani F. Mwaisaka; a son, David Lee “D.J.” Mitchell, Jr. of South Bend, IN; her mother, Elvie Ross of Chicago, IL; two sisters, Anita Bonney of Southfield, MI; Angela Ross of Chicago, IL; a stepsister, Flossie (husband Marty) Rambert of Arkansas; along with several nieces, nephews and a host of cousins.

Dorothy loved helping people in need, especially her patients who she checked up on when they were no longer officially her patients at the hospital.  She enjoyed frequenting restaurants and the casinos; and loved fishing for bluegill and walleye.  Dorothy also enjoyed talking on the phone, and playing card games like solitaire and spades.  But most of all, Dorothy looked forward to spending time with her family and friends.

Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Friday, January 3, 2025 at Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Drive, South Bend, IN.

Funeral Services will take place at 12:00 p.m. Saturday, January 4, 2025 at Kaniewski Funeral Home, South Bend, IN, with Pastor André A. McGhee officiating.  Burial will follow in Highland Cemetery, South Bend, IN. 

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