Brenda Allene Mitchell

Brenda Allene Mitchell, aged 68, passed peacefully away on February 2nd, while watching the sunrise with the love of her life, since 1996, her wife,Debra Austin, at their home in North Berwick, Maine.  For months prior to her passing Brenda was surrounded by the love and caring of her family and friends for which she was so very grateful.  Brenda was born in Fort Fairfield, Maine, on May 27th, 1954, to Freda (Clark) and Clark J. Mitchell.  She attended Fort Fairfield schools and the University of Maine at Presque Isle.  She also studied Non Violent Communication with Marshall Rosenberg and Gina Silwa in both Maine and Canada.  

Throughout her life Brenda chose careers where she could help others. She served for many years providing services, programs, and advocacy for young people and adults with intellectual disabilities.  Later, she became a Mediator for the State of Maine Family Court System in Maine, helping families during some of the most difficult times in their lives.

Brenda was a gifted artisan making beautiful creations in weaving, sewing, knitting, crocheting, and painting; many of which she gave to family and friends.  She also enjoyed motorcycle riding, walking Maine’s beautiful beaches, fishing, camping, cross country skiing, golf and cooking. 

 For years Brenda and her wife, Deb, were members of the Naraya Dance for All People Community where they made life long friends and traveled with them throughout the United States.  Recently, New England Dance for All People honored Brenda as an Elder for her years of participation, support, and advocacy for Native Americans.

Brenda was a Quaker and loved their vision of “The Light of God in Everything, their actions for a world of justice, peace and equality for all”.  She walked her beliefs as a way of life.  She and her wife Deb belonged to the Dover Quaker Friends Meeting House in Dover, New Hampshire, where they celebrated their wedding vows. The Friends in Dover recently honored Brenda for her years of service and participation in their community.

Brenda was predeceased by her grandparents, Edith (Campbell) and Fred Clark, and her parents,Freda (Clark) and Clark Mitchell,(all of Fort Fairfield, Maine), her Mother-in -law and Father-in-law, James and Rod Greene (Sarasota, Florida), her “bonus brother” Jr. Les Ridlon (North Berwick, Maine) and many beloved aunts, uncles, and cousins. 

 Brenda is survived by her wife, Debra Austin, (North Berwick, Maine); her beloved sister and brother-in-law, Barbara (Mitchell) and Roger Ireland (New Milford, Connecticut) and their children and grandchildren; her beloved Jennifer Ireland (Mountain Center, California)  and her sons, Will and Jasper, Kelly Ireland, (New Milford, Connecticut) and her children, James, Sarah, and Noah, Matthew and Malini Ireland (Wayland, Massachusetts), and their children, Kieran and Mira; her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Gary and Patti Greene (Rotonda, Florida), and their children and grandchildren; her sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Darcy (Greene) Wuehrmann and Bill Wuehrmann (Maryville, Tennessee) and their children and grandchildren; Bonnie (Austin) Best and Lynn Best, (North Berwick, Maine) and their children and grandchild, Frankie and Annie Austin and their children, her”bonus kids” Charles and Diana Austin, (Springvale, Maine) and their children, and Albert Austin, (Dania, Florida). 

Brenda’s Celebration of Life will be at the Dover Friends Meeting House, 141 Central Avenue, Dover, New Hampshire, on Saturday, February 25th, 2023, from 10:00AM-1:00PM. 

 In closing, Brenda cared deeply about the Earth and all its inhabitants throughout her life. The family is also suggesting that evergreen trees could be planted in her honor to help preserve the Earth for future generations.

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