WATERVILLE – Anna Elizabeth Thomas Mitchell passed away on Dec. 21, 2023, in Waterville. She was born in Waterville, on Jan. 3, 1926, daughter of Peter and Jamillia Rumya Thomas.

Anna was educated in Waterville schools, graduating from Waterville High School in 1944. Besides enjoying her academic classes, Anna was a spirited high school basketball fan. She always remembered with gratitude that her role as a cheerleader afforded her the opportunity to attend all the games, especially the exciting out-of-state games when Waterville competed for and won the New England Championship title. She subsequently served on all her class reunion committees, including the fortieth, which was featured in the magazine “Mainely Local.” She married her husband of more than 61 years, Saliem “Sammy” Mitchell, on Jan. 5, 1947, in Waterville.

In 1953, Anna began working at Scott Paper Company where she held various positions during her 33-year career with the company. She belonged to several professional organizations.

A member of St. Joseph Maronite Catholic Church, Anna served on the Parish Council and Scholarship Committee, as well as other committees, and was active in church events. She was also a member of the Maronite Guild and the Rosary Sodality.

In 2013 she was honored to play a role, with her daughter, in helping the Holocaust and Human Rights Center, whose mission is to promote respect for human rights through outreach and education, create the month-long exhibit: Life by the Two-Cent Bridge: The Lebanese Community in Waterville.

In the years following her retirement, Anna travelled with family and friends, and when at home, continued to pursue her daily interests of playing the piano, reading, knitting, solving crossword puzzles, and cooking, especially large amounts of Lebanese food to share with family and friends. She rarely missed her monthly luncheons and card-playing afternoons with her high school friends. Anna was a volunteer at Maine General Medical Center for twenty-four years, serving in various departments.

Included among her greatest joys were the many summers spent with family and friends on Long Pond in Belgrade Lakes. In later years, she spent several weeks each summer on other nearby lakes. She really enjoyed camp life and swam in the waters of McGrath Pond beyond her eightieth year.

Despite having experienced several unexpected and deeply personal losses of close family members throughout her life, she was always there to offer comfort to others.

Anna was predeceased by her parents; her husband, Sammy; son-in-law, Rob; granddaughter, Emily Elizabeth; sisters Sadie Ferris, Tekla Stevens, and Freda Annino; brothers Elias, David, and John Thomas; all their spouses; Sammy’s siblings and spouses; in-laws, Elias and Mary Nagem Mitchell; and several nieces and nephews, including, Patricia, Carla Jean, Michael, and Paul Ferris who were like sons and daughters to her.

She is survived by her daughter, Cynthia, and many cherished nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at a later date.

Arrangements are under the direction and care of Gallant Funeral Home, 10 Elm St, Waterville. An online guestbook may be signed, condolences and memories shared at http://www.gallantfh.com.

Those who wish may make donations in her memory to St Joseph Maronite Church,

3 Appleton St.,

Waterville, ME 04901

Copy the Story Link