Helen C. Mitchell

Helen C. Mitchell (Connie), daughter of William Maurice Whalen and Helen Block, was born on Oct. 11, 1943, in Cleveland, Ohio. Connie was raised from the age of 9 by Alfred J. Whalen, the brother of her father and his wife, Mary, after her parents died in 1951.

She graduated from Youngstown State University with a B.S. in education. Later Connie attended ASU school of Education, (1968-69) where she earned her Masters of Education. She taught in the Cleveland Inner City School District for 32 years, where she was a Jennings Scholar.

Prior to her retirement Connie was an avid traveler and enjoyed sharing her experiences with others. She retired and moved to Fountain Hills, Ariz., in 1998 where she was very active in her community and loved exploring Arizona. She enjoyed playing bridge several times a week at the Fountain Hills Community Center, as well as volunteering at the Fountain Hills Community Theater.

She leaves behind her five children, Sharon Melton (Zane), Carrie Salsbury (Paul), Bonnie Stockton (Mike), Betty Thompson, Brandon Mitchell; along with 11 grandchildren, her sister, Karen Whalen-Bayne (Rob), and longtime companion, Ron Eckelmeyer.

A memorial mass will be held at the Church of the Ascension in Fountain Hills on Friday, March 23, 2018, at 11 a.m., followed by a celebration of life luncheon. There will also be a memorial mass held at St. Raphael Catholic Church in Bay Village, Ohio, at a later date. Interment will take place at Calvary Cemetery in Cleveland, Ohio.

Flowers can be sent to the Church of the Ascension, 12615 N. Fountain Hills Blvd. Fountains Hills, AZ, 85268 on the day of the memorial mass.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Connie’s honor to Fountain Hills Community Theater or Home Delivered Meals through The Fountain Hills Community Center.