Mandy Mitchell

Mandy Jennings Mitchell passed away peacefully on October 4, 2023. She lived most of her life in Harlingen, Texas where she was born on February 13, 1959. A high school English teacher, Mandy had a way of connecting with her students, many of whom could not read or write English. With her special magic, she was able to catapult their learning beyond what seemed possible to help them pass required state-mandated tests to be able to graduate. They knew she cared about them as people, not just as students. What an amazing educator!

Mandy is preceded in death by her parents Stuart and Betty Jennings, and brother Stuart Anson Jennings. She is survived by her glorious children, Matthew Jennings Mitchell of Dickinson, North Dakota, and Mary Frances Mitchell (David Valdez) of Harlingen, Texas. She thanks the father of her children, Michael Mitchell, for many good years. Mandy’s pride, her five grandsons, also survive her: Dave and Niko Valdez; and Matthew, Aiden, and Asher Mitchell. Mandy also leaves behind her beloved sisters Betsy Dalton, Alice (Phil) Applegate, and Katy (Sonny) Swanson, all of whom live in the San Antonio area. Mandy felt blessed to live near them for three of the last four years of her blessed life. She savored the time the “Fab 4” spent together and loved making memories with them. Mandy spent the last year before her cancer diagnosis in North Dakota, helping care for her grandsons. Besides assisting with daily routines, she loved loving on them! She took them on many outings and even got the two older boys involved in boy scouts. Many wonderful memories were built that year with Matthew and his boys. Another special memory was with Mary, when they took a trip together to Washington, D. C. Mandy was so excited about this trip she hand-decorated her suitcase! They took in the sites, ate the “best raw oysters ever,” and took a side trip to visit the gravesite of one of Mandy’s all-time favorites, Edgar Allan Poe. Aside from just being able to spend time with Mary, this was probably the highlight of the trip for Mandy. In January 2023, when Mandy received her cancer diagnosis, her daughter Mary, a nurse practitioner in Harlingen, Texas, immediately stepped in, assembled her care team, and boom—they were on it. Thanks to Mary, Mandy received medical care in Harlingen for about four months. Mandy was so very grateful to Mary for making it possible for her to enjoy additional time with her loved ones. Mandy also thanks her family for bringing love, joy, security, safety, generosity, kindness, and more into “this blessed life of mine.”

The family would like to thank Mandy’s Guiding Light Hospice team for their loving and compassionate care. We became family. We are also very grateful to the staff of Abode Contemplative Care for the Dying who provided a beautiful home away from home, unparalleled care, serenity, and kindness. Should you wish to help others spend their last days at Abode, a nonprofit end-of-life care home that exudes quality care, love, compassion, and respect, please consider donating in memory of our sweet Mandy: Abode, PO Box 47640, San Antonio, TX 78265-8640.

As per Mandy’s wishes, the family will gather at her “happy place,” South Padre Island, for a private celebration of her life.