Belva Lucille Menlove Mitchell

Belva Mitchell was born in Provo, Utah, the oldest child of Roy and Lucille Menlove.  She grew up in Mayfield and Provo, graduating from Provo High School in 1946. In 1947, Belva married John (Jack) Mitchell, a marriage that endured nearly 70 years through five children, more than twenty moves and Alzheimer’s disease. After devoting her young adult years to raising her children, she returned to college, earning a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Central Washington University. Belva had a successful 10-year career in education.

Grandchildren brought Jack and Belva back to Utah after retirement, where she spent summers as the host and head counselor at Camp Grammy. Belva’s family was always most important, but she and Jack enjoyed a long and happy retirement in Salt Lake and St. George, filled with travel, golf and friends.

Belva is survived by her children Ellen Maycock, Christine Mitchell, Joan Mitchell (Harv Colby), and John Mitchell (Laura); as well as her brother Howard Menlove and sister-in-law Patricia Menlove, 10 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. Preceded in death by her husband Jack Mitchell, her daughter Margaret Ann Mitchell, brothers Max Menlove, Paul Menlove, and sister Carol Johnson. 

A reception for Belva’s family and friends will be on Friday, March 18, 2022 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, Salt Lake City.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the League of Women Voters.