Ruth Mitchell

Mrs. Ruth L. Sherwood Mitchell, 78, of 332 West Road, Adams, died on Tuesday July 1, 2008 at Berkshire Medical Center, Pittsfield. She was born in Buffalo, New York, a daughter of the late Dr. Richard Sherwood and Ruth Sykes Sherwood. She attended schools in Buffalo and Niagara Falls and graduated from the Buffalo Seminary with the class of 1948. She then graduated from the Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing as a Registered Nurse in 1952. Then in 1960 she received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree from Teachers' College at Columbia University in New York City. Mrs. Mitchell worked as a registered nurse as well as supervisor for the North Adams Regional Hospital from 1964 until retiring in 1993. She had also worked as an Instructor in Practical Nursing for the Charles H. McCann Vocational High School nursing program from 1964 to 1968. While in New York City Mrs. Mitchell worked for the Presbyterian Hospital as a circulating nurse, head nurse and operating room supervisor. She was a member of the First Congregational Church, North Adams. She was a member of the Adams Ambulance Service Board of Directors from 1982 to 1994, Past President of the Northern Berkshire Professional Nurses Association, and a member of the Massachusetts Nurses Association, AARP, the World Wildlife Fund, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the American Diabetic Association, the Presbyterian School of Nursing Alumni Association, and the North Adams Regional Hospital Retirement Group. Besides her husband Ronald whom she married on February 29, 1964, she is survived by; 1 Stepson - Ronald A. Mitchell, III and his wife Lajohnna of Plano, TX; 1 Stepdaughter - Nancy Appel and her husband Jonathon of Ringgold, GA; 3 Grandchildren - Ronald "Alex" Mitchell, IV, Allison Mitchell, and Austin Childers, and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a brother and a sister. The funeral will be held on Thursday, July 10, at 11:00AM, in the PACIOREK FUNERAL HOME, 13 Hoosac St., Adams. Rev. Steven Alspach, Pastor of the North Adams First Congregational Church, will officiate. Burial will be at a later date at the convenience of the family. Calling hours are Thursday from 10:00AM until the time of the service at the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to the Adams Ambulance Service or the VNA & Hospice of Northern Berkshire through the funeral home.

Ruth Mitchell

July 7, 2008