Former wife of Sir James laid to rest

The family, friends and associates of Patricia Mae Mitchell, the ex-wife of former prime minister Sir James Mitchell, paid their last respects to the matriarch as she was laid to rest last Saturday.

The funeral took place at St Mary’s Anglican Church in Bequia, with the officiating minister being the Venerable Everton Weekes.{{more}} Beginning at 1:30 p.m., the funeral featured a number of tributes, given by Sir James Mitchell, daughter Gretel Mitchell, friend Marie Kingston and Kathy Armstrong, the deceased’s niece.

The eulogy was delivered by daughter Louise Mitchell, and there were a number of poems and songs dedicated, which were mostly delivered by family members and work colleagues.

Pat, as she was affectionately known to close friends, was originally from Canada, and married Sir James Mitchell in London (UK) in 1965. She founded the Frangipani Hotel, and in later years, the Gingerbread Hotel. She was also a founding member of the Bequia Sailing Club and the Bequia Heritage Foundation.

She passed away at her home in Belmont, Bequia, on December 1, after a short fight with cancer, and last Saturday was interred at the Mount Pleasant Mitchell Family Cemetery.

She was the mother of three daughters – Sabrina, Louise and Gretel – and the grandmother of six.

Also in attendance at Saturday’s funeral were Governor General Sir Frederick Ballantyne; Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves and his wife Eloise; attorney general Judith Jones-Morgan; parliamentary representative for the Northern Grenadines Dr Godwin Friday and parliamentary representative for Central Kingstown St Clair Leacock.