Kathleen E. Tansey Mitchell, 84, a 48-year resident of Vernon, NJ passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on June 6, 2018.

Born September 22, 1933 in Queens, NY, Kathleen was the only child of John and Elizabeth (Nicholson) Tansey. A devoted daughter, she was a 1951 graduate of Dominican Commercial High School in Jamaica, NY.

Kathy was a secretary in New York City when she met the love of her life, Peter Mitchell, at a CYO dance in 1958. They married on May, 23, 1959, and enjoyed almost 59 years of marriage. Their first of three children arrived 10 months later. The focus of Kathy’s life then became her husband, her children, her grandchildren and her friends. After raising her family, she returned to work as a secretary for the Vernon Township School System, and later worked for the Department of the Army at Picatinny Arsenal, Wharton, NJ. After retirement she continued to work alongside her husband in their family-owned business, KalKlean Supply Company.

Together, Kathy and Pete modeled for their children what a loving marriage should be. She was a stabilizing presence who was her husband’s rock of support. She could always be counted on to be there for her family, showering her children and grandchildren with advice, never forgetting a special occasion, always providing a listening ear. She sometimes knew more about her grandchildren’s lives than their own parents, sharing in their fun, reminding them of life’s fundamental responsibilities, and always keeping their secrets. She spent hours chatting with her beloved cousin Cassie, her many friends and co-workers. Despite suffering kidney failure, Kathy was by Pete’s side until his dying day on April 13, 2018. She went to join him in heaven just 54 days after his passing, never to be separated again.

Kathleen leaves behind her three children and their spouses: Susan and Willard “Skeeter” Helwig, Kevin and Peggy Mitchell, and Ellen and Stephen Moss; her grandchildren, Tara Helwig Vining and her husband Andrew, Joshua Helwig, Quinn Mitchell, Patrick Mitchell, Cassidy Moss and Roman Moss; her in-laws, Margaret Sharkey and Lawrence Mitchell; nieces and nephews, and her cousin, Cassie Laspaluto.

Relatives and friends may visit from 6:00-9:00 p.m. at Ferguson-Vernon Funeral Home, 241 Route 94, Vernon, NJ on Wednesday, June 13th. A mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, June 14th at 11:00 a.m. at St. John Vianney Church, 2823 Route 23, Stockholm, NJ. Interment of Pete and Kathy will follow at the Northern New Jersey Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery in Sparta, NJ.