Clare M. Mitch

Clare M (Baptiste) Mitch, 96, of Butler, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully Friday, August 18, at her home surrounded by her loving family. 

Born in Herman on July 23, 1927, Clare was the daughter of the late McKinley and Mary Kuhn Baptiste.

Clare was an active member of St. Mary’s Church, part of St. Francis of Assisi Parish and was incredibly still baking pies at the age of 95 for their Lenten fish fries.  She delivered meals to residents through Butler Meals on Wheels for more than 20 years.  Clare loved hand stitching quilts and made dozens of them for her family over the years.  Clare had a gift for making others feel special. She expressed her love for others by numerous acts of kindness such as mailing countless letters and cards each month to loved ones celebrating special occasions.   She would also ask visitors “have you eaten?” and then proceed to serve them a delicious meal or favorite dessert.  

Clare was predeceased by her husband, Leonard, who she married on September 19, 1955.  She will be greatly missed by her seven children, Cathy (Gary) Moser, Jim (Kim) Mitch, Ray Mitch, Sue (Joe) Jordan, John (Fatima) Mitch, Don (Grace) Mitch, and Carol Mitch (Karl Oehrtman); her 15 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. She is survived by one sister, Dorothy (Ron) Cypher of Alabama.  One sister-in-law Christine Baptiste, also numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her daughter-in-law, Carol Miller Mitch, grandson Ted Mitch, and six brothers and three sisters.

Friends to be received at the Geibel Funeral Home, 201 East Cunningham Street, Butler, from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm on Thursday.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, at 11:00 am, at St. Mary of the Assumption Roman Catholic Church in Herman.  Interment to follow in St. Mary’s Parish Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Butler Meals on Wheels, 218 E. Jefferson St., Butler, PA  16001.

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