Linda Susan Mitchell

Linda S. (McGrath) Mitchell, 47, of Kalamazoo, formerly of St. Joseph, passed away on February, 24, 2005, at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 A.M. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 211 Church St., St. Joseph, on Tuesday, March, 1, 2005, with Msgr. Thomas Martin officiating. Burial will follow in Resurrection Cemetery in St. Joseph. Friends may call on the family from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M., at Kerley- Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, on Monday, February, 28, 2005, with a rosary at 7:30 P.M. Memorial contributions may be made to Linda?s children in c/o Mary Lindenmayer. Friends are invited to send the family a condolence message or sign the guest book on line at www.starks-menchinger.com. Linda was born to Thomas and Dorothy (Borlik) McGrath on April 29, 1957, in St. Joseph, MI. She graduated from Lakeshore High School in 1975. She earned a Bachelor?s of Science with a major in social science from Western Michigan University in 1995. In 1999 she earned a double Masters of Arts from Western Michigan University with majors in rehabilitation teaching and rehabilitation counseling. She was employed with Corvel Corp. of Grand Rapids, MI as a rehabilitation counselor/case manager. Her career also included professional fashion modeling when she was younger. The most important things in Linda?s life were God and family, especially her children. Linda enjoyed the peace and solace of her Roman Catholic Faith and was a member of St. Augustine Cathedral in Kalamazoo. Recently, Linda traveled with family members to Rome where they were granted a private audience with Pope John Paul II. Linda loved Lake Michigan and enjoyed the beach. Linda was a beautiful person and kept a positive outlook on life despite her long illness. Linda always said each day is a privilege. Her motto was ?Seize the Day?. Linda is survived by her children- Mandy and James Mitchell of Kalamazoo; sisters- Mary Jane (John) Lindenmayer of Stevensville, Jean M. (Sidney) Martin of Benton Harbor, Joan M. (Dave) Hart of Benton Harbor, Dorothy (Derek) Grossman of Kalamazoo, and Nancy (Charles) Raymond of Grosse Ile, MI; brothers- Thomas McGrath III of Greenville, SC, Michael (Robin) McGrath of Traverse City, MI, Richard J. McGrath or Murfreesboro, TN, Steven (Brenda) McGrath of Grandville, OH, Patrick (Delores) McGrath of Murfreesboro, TN, and David (Amy) McGrath of Canton, MI; nieces and nephews- Michael T.S. Lindenmayer of Chicago, IL, John R. Lindenmayer of Lansing, MI, Dana (Dave) Christensen of Denver, CO, Heather McGrath and Ryan McGrath of Traverse City, Jason (Carol) Gloe of Baroda, Matthew Glass of St. Joseph, Katherine McGrath and Kimberly McGrath of Murfreesboro, TN, Ian Grossman of Kalamazoo, Levi McGrath and Arizona McGrath of Grandville, OH, Daniel, Benjamin, and Thomas McGrath all of Murfreesboro, TN, and Samantha McGrath and David McGrath of Canton, MI; great nieces and nephews- Riley Gloe, Ciara Picard, Rees Picard, Cameron Weisz, Gabriel Christensen, and Jacob Christensen; special cousins- Kevin (Julie) McGrath and Sean (Tracy) McGrath both of Boston, M.A.; and numerous other beloved aunts, uncles, and cousins. Linda was preceded in death by her father Thomas in 1980; mother Dorothy in 1985; and brother-in-law David Kienzle in 1982.