Celia Mitchell: 1911-2008

Celia Mitchell, a long-time resident of New York City, died in Santa Monica, California on September 13, 2008 at the age of 97. She was a family therapist and social worker whose career began as a case worker for the City during the 1930s. Later, she became a supervisor at Jewish Family Service before going into private practice. She was associated for many years with Nathan Ackerman and his approach to family counseling. Born Celia Rosenbloom, Celia was the oldest child of Max and Yetta Rosenbloom. She was married first to Alter Brody, a writer and poet, and then to William Mitchell, the owner of a bookstore in Manhattan. At age 91, she moved to Los Angeles to be close to her son Daniel, a professor at UCLA. She is survived by Daniel, daughter-in-law Alice Mitchell, and grandchildren Nina and Joshua, and will be greatly missed by her family, friends, and former patients. A memorial service was held for her at the assisted living facility - Westwood Horizons - in which she lived in Los Angeles. A second service was held in New York City for her friends and family there. For further information, please call 310-825-1504 and leave a detailed message.

Herbert Kuhner - an Austrian scholar who has done research and published on Alter Brody - sent the email message below on Oct. 21, 2008:

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Celia Mitchell has left us.

Celia Mitchell died on September 13, 2008. She was Alter Brody’s second wife.

My wife Irmgard and I had the pleasure of seeing Celia on trips to New York. We both loved her and we feel that our lives have been enriched by having known and corresponded with her. She was such a good, kind and sincere person and an exemplary human being.

George Wallace and I have collected and edited the complete poems of Alter Brody. George wrote a marvellous introduction to the collection based on a telephone interview with Celia. He shares our sentiments.

Daniel Mitchell, Celia and Alter’s son, lost a wonderful mother. Celia had a long life, but her passing can only fill a son and the family with grief. I too had a wonderful mother, and she is always in my thoughts. Here is a poem that I wrote for her:

I dreamt of mother
the other night.
She fell
and I caught her
and held her in my arms.
Don't worry
I told her,
I'll always be there
to catch you in case you fall
and I woke to where
you can't catch anyone
death pulls down.

Harry

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Alternative audio source: Radio interview with Celia Mitchell on WEVD, New York City, June 11, 1956

Celia Mitchell was interviewed by Eric J. Makus about her life recollections on Nov. 22, 1995. This is part 1 of the recording.

Part 2 of interview:

Celia Mitchell's 1948 MSW thesis can be read below:

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Three professional papers by Celia Mitchell can be read below:

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Celia Mitchell left a collection of photos which can be seen just below. Just below that is a collection of photos of her second husband, William Mitchell. In addition, a selection of photos follows.

Additional photos recently found:

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Link to photos above:
https://plus.google.com/photos/106944086013123582979/albums/5703131465756965313

Celia Mitchell went on a cruise with her family to see the solar eclipse of July 11, 1991 for her 80th birthday. Below is an audio recording of that eclipse recorded on the Viking Serenade cruise ship off Baja California. There is applause when the eclipse starts. The ship's horn sounds at the midpoint of the eclipse. There is applause after the eclipse.

Below (keep scrolling down) is a selection of family photographs.