Pat Mitchell, Pat Mitchell

Pat Mitchell was born Dec. 16, 1956, in Iowa City to George and Camilla (Schnoebelen) Dohrer and passed away on Sept. 20, 2009, in Mesa, Ariz. Pat was a gifted athlete who spent her childhood and teen years playing sports. She became a junior life saver at the age of 12 and was an exceptional competitive swimmer and synchronized swimmer. In high school, her presence on the basketball and volleyball courts was feared by her opponents. Pat graduated from Iowa City High School in 1975. She married Mark Mitchell in 1977 and they welcomed their son, Luke, into this world on April 19, 1980. Luke was the joy of Pat's life and she was a very devoted and loving mother. Pat graduated from nursing school in May 1990 and began a lifelong career as a Registered Nurse. She chose the most challenging assignments, including critical care, intensive care and burn units. She brought tremendous compassion to her job and was considered a “favorite nurse” by patients and their families. Outside of work, Pat was a tireless advocate for others. She served on the Board of Directors of the Rape Advocacy program, volunteered for Planned Parenthood, trained and served as a Domestic Violence Advocate, volunteered at the Free Medical Clinic, and served meals to the homeless at a soup kitchen. She had a passion for progressive politics, was a union organizer, and felt great relief when George W. Bush left office. A highlight of her life was being chosen to star in a television commercial for health care reform in 2004. Pat loved her dogs. Beloved “PeeWee” preceded her in death in 2002. She loved Luke's dog “Toby” as her own and then adopted her baby “Gracie” from a rescue center in 2005. Pat made friends easily and quickly and could always be counted on for her loyalty, sense of adventure, and great humor. In recent years she enjoyed her membership in the Blue Thong Society of Mesa and her subsequent friendships. Pat will best be remembered for her “larger than life” personality. Being in her presence was an experience we craved, greatly enjoyed, and will sorely miss. Pat was preceded in death by her brother, Tom Dohrer, on Sept. 9, 2009.

Her survivors include her son, Luke, her parents, George and Camilla (Schnoebelen) Dohrer, her brother Mike Dohrer and his friend, Pam, her sister Peg Naylor, Peg's sons, Dylan and Jackson, Peg's partner, Tom, her sister-in-law, Julie, and nephew, AJ. A celebration of Pat's life will be held on Sunday, Oct. 4th at 4 p.m. at the Moose Lodge #1096 on Hwy 6 in Iowa City. A private burial will take place at St. Vincent's cemetery in Riverside. Memorials can be made to the Domestic Violence Intervention Program, P.O. Box 3170, Iowa City, IA 52244. Online condolences may be made at lensingfuneral.com.