Mom's Tree

By Graham:

Employees of Murray School District who knew mom wanted to do something special for all the years she dedicated to the district be it driving the bus, talking with teachers, or the countless hours she spent at the Nature Center. They took up a collection and planted this tree in her honor. Here is what Judith Payne said about the tree and plaque that will be at the center.

"The tree is a Rosebud. It will stand out from the usual Cottonwoods and Willows in this area. We felt that Charlotte would appreciate what a fine wood the tree has -- especially in light of her artistic wood carving abilities! We talked about the strong roots of a tree, and the strong roots Charlotte had throughout her life. She was the model of integrity, punctuality, and kindness. The leaves of the Rosebud are heart shaped. We will look at those and remember how much Charlotte loved bringing students to and from the Nature Center... and we will remember how much we loved working with her. The tree stands very near the walkway to the Center that Charlotte crossed thousands of times as she walked students from her bus to the Center and back. The buds of the Redbud are actually purple -- the blossoms may be purple or pink; we will have to see. This should be a gorgeous tree and sweet reminder of Charlotte's beautiful influence at one of her favorite places.

Murray City hasn't been placing plaques at the bases of trees over the past couple of years -- they frown on it because of vandalism and the 'disappearance' of so many over the years. The more I think about it, though, I want to place a plaque under Charlotte's tree anyway. I will be seeing Murray Parks people on Monday, and I am going to see if I can get the green light to place something under Charlotte's tree to highlight its significance. I will update you on that. I will hang the very nice plaque donated by the MSD Transportation Department along with Charlotte's picture on a wall inside the Nature Center.

One of the teachers remarked to me yesterday, "Who would ever think you could develop a friendship with a bus driver when you are so busy with your students on a field trip?" That is the kind of person Charlotte was. She cared about everybody and couldn't help but reach out and become a friend to us all. We are grateful to have known her, and we will never forget her."

Thank you, Judith and to everyone who donated money, time, or effort to have this tree planted. I know she would greatly appreciate it. 

The photo is of the tree, Judith, my mother-in-law Wendy, and several other MSD employees who were friends with mom. 

Tree planting and plaque

By Graham
This came from Judith Payne at the Nature Center for anyone who would like to attend

"Dear Friends,
Murray School District employees have joined together to purchase a tree to be planted at the Kennecott Nature Center of Murray to honor Charlotte Mitchell who passed away several weeks ago. As you know, Charlotte faithfully drove thousands of students to and from school and the Nature Center for many years.  She loved the children she transported, and she loved helping with programs inside the Center. It seems fitting to plant a tree to remind us of her dedication. Teachers, fellow bus drivers, and friends have all pitched in to buy the tree and to place a special plaque inside the Center for us to remember Charlotte.

The tree has just arrived and needs to be planted right away (before the weather gets hot). So, without much in the way of prior notice, please join us if you can for a few minutes at this special tree planting on:

Friday, APRIL 18th at 3:30 p.m. at the Nature Center
5044 S. Lucky Clover Lane
Murray, Utah 84123
(approx. 5100 South and 800 West)"

For the Record . . . One Year Later

By Mike

While working through the task of collecting and organizing Charlotte's
digital photos, I came across a scan of an X-ray I had not seen before.
It is a little poignant because it is one year ago today, around
midnight, we all got the life-altering and grave news of this tumor. I
still remember the tears and shock - none of us ever saw this coming.

For the record, and with permission, here is the X-ray of the tumor
which eventually took Charlotte from us after her brave struggle.

Laid to Rest

By Mike

Everyone has made it home from the funeral gathering. The winter roads were treacherous and caused delays and worry for us all. We were blessed to make it and enjoy the comforts of home.

On our way out of town, we stopped by Charlotte's grave and I snapped this photo. Our return to the grave site was particularly difficult and brought our emotions to the surface. Several tears were shed.

Many Tears

By Mike

The funeral service happened today. More details and observations will come once we have had opportunity to gather our thoughts and photos and composure.

There were many tears shed today and a few laughs. The weather was delightful with a warm sun and a cool breeze.

Here is a picture of the casket ready for interment.

Charlotte “Emma” Mitchell

Charlotte “Emma” Mitchell

 

Charlotte Loretta Galberth Mitchell, 72 years old, of Murray, UT died on February 21st, 2014 of brain cancer.  Born in Portland, Oregon on November 7, 1941, Charlotte is the daughter of Iris Helen Tomlinson and Thomas Pierce Galberth. Preceded in death by her mother and father and her siblings: Iris, Thomas, Frank, and Edward. She is survived by her sister Agnes, her brother Howard and her children Alicia Black (Mikael), Sheelagh Evans (David), Graham Mitchell (Elizabeth Arnold) and her 10 grandchildren.

In 1953, Charlotte (along with her mother) was baptized and confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Charlotte is a graduate of Gresham High School in Portland, Oregon and a return missionary (Southern States). After her mission she moved to Utah where she met and married her former husband David Mitchell (deceased) in 1973. She served in various church callings from Primary President to Stake Genealogy Librarian.

Charlotte found joy in her work as a bus driver in the Murray school district for 30 years. She was honored with the Murray School District Pinnacle Award for her outstanding service and dedication. Charlotte donated countless hours, art and knowledge to the Kennecott Nature Center of Murray, UT.

Her close friends and family looked forward to receiving homemade Christmas cards every year which included a Charlotte Mitchell original nativity painting and poem. She hand carved wands and walking sticks from fallen twigs and branches. She restored old cars, a baby grand piano and anything else she put her mind to. She loved painting, drawing, photography, and gardening. She nurtured confidence and independence in her children and cared deeply for every child she ever transported.

Charlotte was humble and avoided praise whenever possible. Through her unconditional love and service she touched countless lives. Her legacy of selflessness, persistence and relentless dependability lives on in the hearts of her children and friends.

Services will be held at the Park Ward building:
 435 E. 5600 S., Murray, UT
on Wednesday, February 26th at 12:30 pm.
The viewing will start at 10:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, please contribute your support to the Perpetual Education fund or Mission fund.

If you would like to share stories of Charlotte, please email them to potatopearls@yahoo.com

 

Services

By Sheelagh

Mom passed away this evening. Thank you all so much for all of your kind letters and emails throughout this past year they have meant a lot to all of us.
We will post when her services will be as soon as we know the details.

Love
Alicia, Sheelagh and Graham

Sent from my iPhone

Family photo

by Alicia

This is a picture we captured while we were all there.  It was great to be all together.  We shared stories, laughter and tears.

A lullaby

By Sheelagh

Alicia, Graham and I all have memories of my mom singing us to sleep (or sometimes to wake up to the tune of the cougar fight song!) and all of her grandchildren have been sung to sleep or comforted to the same songs. Today I sang to my mom.

She doesn't eat anymore and is very weak. I like to think that it this is her choice that she is doing it while thumbing her nose at the cancer saying--"we will do this on my terms not yours."

Thank you for all of your kind thoughts and prayers.


Sent from my iPhone

Stories about Charlotte

By Sheelagh

 This past weekend, Alicia, Graham (Beth) and I have been together and it has been fun to share stories about mom.  We  thought it would be nice to compile a memory book about mom for us and her grandchildren.  We would love to add your stories. 
Please send them to Mom's email emmaspeach@gmail.com

Words for pic

I went in to check in on mom and this is how I found her. She is asleep, but she looks like she is mid prayer.

Yesterday she was awake a lot. She and Dave watched the SuperBowl. Mom was awake the whole time.

Sent from my iPhone

Pic

By Alicia

Chatty

By Alicia

My loving husband is holding down the fort so I could take the time to come and visit mom.

Sheelagh and Dave were able to take some much needed r&r.

Mom ate a little oatmeal for breakfast and yogurt for lunch. Tonight I asked if she wanted anything. She asked for a panini. I brought it to her and she took a couple of bites. I asked how it was. She said it was a little dry😊.

It is nice to catch a glimpse of her personality sneak through.

Fashionista

Mom is sporting new boots these days:) these are to protect her heels from sores.
She sleeps even more than before and drinks only one shake in a day.

Always Loved to Watch the Game

By Mike

Again, I was digging around looking at photos I have stored on my back-up server when I came across a directory of photos collected all about Charlotte.  I don't know the specific story about this one, save that Charlotte is having a great time watching a BYU football game in person.  Look at that smile.  Anyone who knows Charlotte knows she is a Cougars fan.

Some new favorites

By Sheelagh

It is getting progressively harder to come up with things that mom can eat. For awhile we could give her finger foods that she could pick up or I could put the sandwich-or panini, her favorite, in her hand and she could eat it. Lately, however, she isn't quite sure what to do with it and I would find it in the covers later. SO have had to be creative since we don't always have the time needed to feed her especially in the mornings.

Her new favorite is yogurt "smoothie" it is just yogurt that is milked down so that it is drinkable...I have to say I think I might be making two in the mornings it is pretty tasty! I am home with a sick son today and that is what he is drinking too:)
The other concoction came from when all she wanted was hot chocolate I wanted to find a way to get a little more nutrition in there so I blended it up with some oatmeal. Hot Chocolate drinkable oatmeal???you say? Don't knock it til you try it!

Other than that it is business as usual. She seems a little more confused some days. I told her on Monday morning that school was starting up again for me and she said it was for her too--and last night while dave and I were talking to her we mentioned something about Dave's sister Holly and then when I asked her if she wanted another piece of cinnamon roll she took it and then handed it back behind her and told us she didn't want it but that we should give it to Holly.

Other times she seems quite together and her voice is clear.


Sent from my iPhone

1st Christmas as a Grandma

By Mike

I went looking for some old, old computer files (back from the 1990's) to print them out for my son and stumbled across these pictures from Charlotte's 1st Christmas as a Grandma.  This was just after our first child was born.  It was bitter cold the week of Christmas (when these shots were taken) . . . sort of like now for most of the country.  Charlotte took to grand-mothering like a fish to water.

As I remember it, Charlotte called her son in Peru from our little campus apartment - this was back when a long-distance call actually cost some serious coin.

These are precious memories . . . I just wish I had better resolution pics.  These were taken about the same year the first consumer digital cameras made it to market - way too expensive for our starving-college-student budget.  I used a VHS camera and hooked it up to the video card in my computer to get these screen captures.