Maria Mitchell

Maria Milagros Claro Mitchell Maria Milagros Claro Mitchell was the fifth child born to Januario and Cesaria Claro (Boholano) on July 15, 1953 in Macalpi-ay, Pastrana, Leyte, Philippines. She was baptized and confirmed into the Roman Catholic Church at San Roque Catholic Church in Macalpi-ay. Maria immigrated with her daughter, Shirly, to the United States in April 1973. Maria was united in marriage with Donald Lee Mitchell on May 12, 1973 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Trosky, MN. She worked for Bayliner Marine Corporation in Pipestone, MN, Valdosta, GA, and Cumberland, MD for over 20 years until she had to retire due to health issues. While in Georgia, she also worked for a Chinese restaurant to earn extra money. Mila completed her GED in Pipestone, MN in 1994. Mila was diagnosed with a kidney disease in the late 1980s. She was in remission for many years but eventually had to undergo dialysis. On June 7, 2006, Mila accepted one of her daughter‘s kidneys. They had just passed their 15 year anniversary since the kidney transplant when Mila went to heaven.

Mila and her little sister, Cristina, went to the Philippines the beginning of May 2021 to help their older sister, Conchita, who had just lost her daughter and husband within a month of each other. Mila and Cristina were in quarantine most of their trip but was able to help their sister want to live again. Mila and Cristina went to Manila to get the required COVID testing before their flight home to the U.S. On May 31st, both of them tested positive and had to be quarantined another 14 days. During this time, Mila developed COVID pneumonia. Although she fought hard and had a strong team of seven doctors helping her, on June 9, 2021 at 7:10 in the evening, Mila went to heaven. After many challenges and unbelievable support on June 20, 2021, Mila’s ashes were hand carried home to MN by her sister, Cristina.

Shirly knew her as “Mama”, Cristina knew her as “Ate”, Donald Christopher knew her as “Mimi”, Amber knew her as “Mom” and many of you knew her as “Mila”. Through her life, Mila loved her family so deeply (here in the U.S. and in the Philippines) creating memories of laughter, perseverance, strength, stability and love. Mila was a strong woman with visions of making life better for her family and those around her. She had a sweet spirit, a tender heart and a lot of wisdom. Serving others was her passion. Mila and her husband Don served as foster parents to over 70 children over a span of 25 years. She enjoyed making rosaries for the church, serving with the Catholic Daughters, and socializing with other retirees. As season ticket holders, Mila and Don attended Sioux Falls Skyforce games for over 30 years. She also loved to travel and go sightseeing. Mila spent many hours making hundreds of masks and rosaries and donated them to the church and community. Mila and her daughter were recently at Pizza Ranch and saw some of you wearing the masks she had donated; we smiled because we wondered if you knew she was the one who made them. Mama would wonder if she did enough or gave enough, I would always tell her, “Oh mama, more than enough, so much more than enough.”

Mila is deeply loved and adored. She will be immeasurably missed by her daughter, Shirly “Veda” Mitchell (Dallas, TX); sisters, Maria Conchita (Philippines) and Maria Cristina (Trosky, MN); nephew, Donald Christopher Claro (currently stationed in Kunsan AB, South Korea); foster daughter, Amber Broomfield and her children, Harley and Presley (Brandon, SD); son-in-law, Jeremy Broomfield (Luverne, MN); countless cousins, nieces and nephews, grand and great nieces and nephews in the Philippines; numerous foster kids and many friends who became her “family” here in the U.S. She was preceded in death by her parents, Januario and Cesaria Claro (Boholano); her husband, Donald Lee Mitchell; her brother, Wilfredo Claro; and two brothers, Conrado and Antonio who passed away in infancy.