Sr. Daria Mitchell (formerly Sr. Alisa), age 79 of the Sisters of St. Francis in Oldenburg, Indiana, died on November 6, 2024, at the Motherhouse in Oldenburg, Indiana. Born on September 22, 1945, in Hamilton, Ohio, she was the first of six children born to Kenneth and Daria (nee: Bredestege) Mitchell. Her father worked at Fisher Body in Fairfield, Ohio and her mother was a housewife.
Sr. Daria was taught by the Sisters of St. Francis from grades one through eight, then attended ICA Aspirancy (now Oldenburg Academy) for high school. She received a bachelor’s degree in English from Marian University, and then received her master’s degree in education and educational leadership from Miami University of Ohio. She also earned a master’s degree in Franciscan studies in 2003 at the Franciscan Institute located at St. Bonaventure University in Allegany, New York.
Sr. Daria worked as an elementary school teacher and principal for 37 years in Cincinnati. Following her long career in education, she began working part-time for the Franciscan Institute Publications, where she was editor of The Cord: A Franciscan Spiritual Journal. At the same time, she worked part time on the Franciscan Federation Prayerbook Project. In one article, she wrote “simple acts that put oneself at the service of another build up the kingdom of God.”
In 2003, Sr. Daria was part of a Franciscan Pilgrimage to Assisi, a 13-day trip of a lifetime for her. Another unforgettable experience for her was singing on the stage of the Music Hall in Cincinnati as part of a choir that performed “Dream of Gerontius,” by Elgar. It was a 75-piece orchestra with 150 people from parish choirs.
Upon returning to the Motherhouse in 2019, Sr. Daria volunteered as a greeter at the St. Clare Hall lobby desk. She enjoyed chatting with the Sisters as they came by. While in Oldenburg, she also enjoyed reading, being part of the choir, and listening to music.
Sr. Daria is survived by brothers Kenneth (Ila) and Tom (Mona) Mitchell; sisters Marian (Mike) Smith and Carolyn (Rob) Luckett. She was preceded in death by her sister Donna Hamblin.
Prayer and visitation will be Tuesday, November 12th, from 9:00 – 10:30 a.m. followed by the Mass at 10:30 a.m., all at the convent chapel, with Fr. Ken Overberg SJ officiating. The burial will be at the Motherhouse Cemetery in Oldenburg. For those unable to attend, services will be live streamed at https://youtube.com/live/45m7xiSwC54?feature=share Memorials may be made to the Sisters of St. Francis, P.O. Box 100, Oldenburg, Indiana 47036 Donate Online – SISTERS OF ST. FRANCIS (oldenburgfranciscans.org). For online condolences go to www.weigelfh.com.