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Barbara Ann (Cartwright) Mitchell

Barbara Ann (Cartwright) Mitchell passed away peacefully near midnight on Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2018.

Barbara was born on July 7, 1932, to parents Sarah (Ness) and Marvin Cartwright in the front bedroom of the family’s home that was built for them by her grandfather, Walter Cartwright, on Fifth and Locust. She and her younger brother, Walter, had a large extended family in this area.

She grew up enjoying Coeur d’Alene’s great pastimes, including climbing Best Mountain, eating Hudson burgers and cruising around in the Model “A” Ford, with license plate “123”, down Sherman Avenue. She also enjoyed roller skating with her girlfriends at the Fourth Street Roller Rink and going to Playland Pier on the lake — with the carousel, Ferris wheel and the tilt o’whirl.

Barbara enjoyed taking a salt shaker and magazines with her when she would climb her uncle’s apple tree so she could read and look at the newest fashions, all while eating the delicious sour apples.

Barbara’s mom was a seamstress and made all of Barbara’s clothes to match the latest trends, which made her the envy of her female classmates for being forever impeccably dressed.

In her teens, she was an usher at the old Wilma Theater and a sales clerk at the J.C. Penney store on Sherman Avenue.

Barbara enlisted in United States Air Force in 1951. She did basic training in San Antonio, Texas, and then was stationed at McClellan AFB in California. That is where she first caught eye of Ben installing a communications tower. “Oh,” she said, “he is the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.” He also had a hole in his britches and she laughed.

Ben took her to the NCO Club, love hit, and they were inseparable after that. Ben and Barbara were married in Reno, Nev. They were married 64 wonderful years.

Barbara was blessed with four beautiful children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her love for her husband and entire family was unconditional and her love was returned by everyone.

Barbara is survived by her husband, Benjamin Mitchell; her brother, Walter Cartwright and his wife; her four children, Jeannie Day, Robert Mitchell, James Jay Mitchell and Kathy Mitchell; and their spouses; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; multiple nieces; nephews and cousins.

Barbara (Cartwright) Mitchell is and will be constantly missed and love for her will always be in our hearts forever.

Funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 13, 2018, at English Funeral Chapel in Coeur d’Alene. Burial to follow at Riverview Cemetery, Coeur d’Alene.

English Funeral Chapel has been entrusted with arrangements. Please sign her online memorial at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.