Deborah Ann Mitchell Berry
Deborah Ann Mitchell Berry, 63, received her angel wings on Friday, December 11, 2020. Her death followed a long illness culminating in a diabetic coma. She died peacefully at the Washington Hospital ICU, surrounded by her two beloved daughters.
Debbie was born in Wheeling, W.Va. May 13, 1957, to the late Victor W. Mitchell and Mary Rose Shahan Mitchell. She lived her first six years of life in Bridgeport, Ohio, moving to Washington in 1963 where she lived for the remainder of her days. She was a 1977 graduate of Washington High School where she participated in the vocational/technical program. She was a lifelong member of the Jefferson Avenue United Methodist Church.
After graduating high school, Debbie parlayed her love of children into work as a nanny. Following this period of her life, she began a lifelong career as a cashier in grocery stores, first Foodland, where she worked for years, followed by Giant Eagle, where she worked until her retirement was necessitated by poor health. Debbie’s outgoing, gregarious personality made her a favorite of store customers. She loved people and never met a stranger in her life. She met and befriended scores of people as she rang up their groceries. She knew their life stories, shared their struggles and loved and fawned over their children.
Debbie is survived by her daughters, Shawna Rose Camps Edwards (Tony), from her marriage to Ed Camps, and Shay Ann Berry, from her marriage to Charley Berry. Shawna blessed Debbie with three beautiful grandchildren, Isaiah Anthony, Jayden Mitchell and Maya Grace. Debbie is also survived by her sister, Victoria Tomasek (Joe) of Verona, N.J.; and brother, Ken Mitchell (Betty) of Savannah, Ga. Nieces and nephews include Julia Rose and Mitchell Tomasek, Kevin and Keith Mitchell and Michele Mitchell Johnson. She was also close with her first cousin, Patty Mauck Habermehl and loved all of her Shahan cousins (seven girls in all). Her aunt and uncle, Phyllis and S.R. “Sha” Shahan, were also an important part of her life.
Debbie’s greatest joy in life was FaceTiming with her grandchildren who lived in New Mexico and now Oklahoma. If she met you in passing, you were guaranteed to be shown their latest pictures. She was so proud of them and loved them with a passion. Other passions included a love of Pittsburgh sports, including the Steelers, Pirates and Penguins. She owned every Steelers t-shirt one could buy. She enjoyed game shows and was a die-hard fan of “Days of Our Lives.” She was in love with Kenny Rogers her whole life and saw him many times in concert. She answered to the endearing nick name of “Snicklefritz.”
A memorial service for family and friends will be held in the spring or summer when the COVID pandemic has eased and it is safe for people to congregate. Please keep Debbie in your thoughts and prayers. Her loving heart, goofball humor and infectious laugh will be sorely missed. Rest in peace, Snicklefritz.