Catherine S. “Bette” Mitchell (née Sheffield), 92, a longtime resident of Oak Park and River Forest, died on June 21, 2013. Born on Feb. 23, 1921, and raised in Stonington, Conn., she moved to Chicago in the early 1950s. She worked as a clerk at Encyclopedia Britannica where she met her future husband, Alan. They were married in 1954 and lived in an apartment on North Kenilworth in Oak Park. She worked at Pioneer Press and then at First National Bank until her retirement in 1986.
A longtime member of First Church of Christ-Scientist in River Forest, she actively volunteered there for many years. The Mitchells purchased a home in River Forest in the mid-1970s, where they lived until their deaths.
Bette Mitchell is survived by her 10 nieces and nephews; more than 15 great-nieces and great-nephews; and many great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews. She was preceded in death by Alan R. Mitchell, her husband of nearly 50 years; her parents, Phillip and Gladys Sheffield; and her siblings, George and Phyllis.
A memorial visitation will be held on June 27, from 4 to 6 p.m., concluding with remembrances, at Drechsler, Brown & Williams Funeral Home, 203 S. Marion St. in Oak Park. Interment will be private.