Obituary of Kathryn Laura Mitchell
Kathryn Laura Mitchell (Kate or Katie), 18, died peacefully and unexpectedly in her sleep in Greenwich Village, NY, on September 29, 2024. Kate and her parents, Patty Mitchell and Laura Oeffling, lived in Libertyville, IL, for Kate’s entire life.
Kate was a story-teller, a dreamer, a skilled baker, an open-hearted lover of people, theatre and all forms of art and creative human expression. Kate was a Broadway show enthusiast, her recent favorite being The Outsiders. She was also a music concert devotee to Taylor Swift, Gracie Abrams and many others. Kate loved to visit museums and, in the little free time she had, was a writer of screenplays, novels, short films and poems. Quick-witted and funny, Kate gave great life advice. Her self-described vibe was beach and chill, yet every TV award show was a must-watch with a competitive ballot in hand and money on the line.
Kate traveled extensively in her short life, visiting her two favorite cities, Los Angeles and New York, with frequency. Some of her favorite memories in LA are studio tours, unexpectedly getting invited to a filming of American Horror Story, seeing the Barbie movie opening night in a packed Chinese Theatre and going to a midnight showing of the Rocky Horror Picture Show in Westwood. She dreamed of having a cute Spanish-style home in Beachwood Canyon, just below the Hollywood Hills, and working on a major motion picture or TV series. In New York, Kate simply could not get enough of the amazing diversity of people and the Broadway theatre scene, music concerts and museums. Some of her favorite memories in NY include seeing Broadway shows, staying at/touring The Palace hotel (filming site for the TV series Gossip Girl) and being a marketer’s dream while shopping at the thrift stores in Greenwich Village.
While attending Butterfield elementary school, Kate began some life-long friendships and had many great experiences. Her drive to be involved in all life had to offer led to the initiation of neighborhood plays at Broadway Street Theatre, haunted garages – she loved a good scary movie – and epic summer 4th of July / block parties. She relished her annual pilgrimages to the Bristol Renaissance Faire with neighborhood friends.
At Highland middle school, Kate’s love of theatre and the arts blossomed. She began participation in school productions and developed her unique voice as a writer. Her 4-pound teacup Multipoo, Lily, arrived on the scene. Her friendships deepened and grew as she did.
A 2024 graduate of Libertyville High School, Kate excelled academically and was involved in many theatre productions. She served as an Executive Board Member of the LHS Stageplayers. These were the years that cast parties, school dances, and other typical high school events were savored with beloved classmates and friends. Kate attended Summer Film Camp at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), where she wrote and produced her first short film.
Attending New York University to study film and television (Cinema Studies) was Kate’s proudest life achievement. During her short time in college, she lived non-stop as usual, joining the Women in Film and Screenwriters Clubs, rushing Delta Kappa Alpha (Film Fraternity), attending various Broadway and music events and, of course, visiting Sephora weekly. New friendships were born, and old friendships were treasured. While she wheeled around Greenwich Village, NY, with purpose, people took notice. On the night before she passed, she published her first blog – Girls Just Want to Have Film.
Kate is survived by her parents, Patty Mitchell & Laura Oeffling; her Grandmothers, Andrea Oeffling and Karen Berg; her Aunts and Uncles, Kevin (Sandy) Mitchell, Colleen (Mike) Schmitt, Beth (Scott) Osel, Beth (John) Gerritsen and Tom (Megan) Oeffling; her cousins, Skyler Mitchell, Anna, Ben and Lucas Gomolski, Mackenzie, Hannah and Ava Schmitt, Maddie and Nate Osel, John, Jeff (Alyssa and son Cameron) and Joe Gerritsen, and Tommy, Wynne and Maura Oeffling.
She was preceded in death by her Grandparents, Thomas Oeffling, Bernard and Nancy Mitchell and Julie Vaughan, and her Uncle Frank Crowley.
Kate also leaves behind many loyal and cherished friends and neighbors, too numerous to list.
Born with Nemaline Myopathy, Kate endured many hospitalizations, which developed her unmatched resiliency, maturity and thirst for all that life had to offer. For those wishing to send an expression of sympathy, in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to A Foundation Building Strength for Nemaline Myopathy 3825 El Camino Real Palo Alto, CA, 94306. Kate proudly served as a Youth Ambassador for this fine organization.
The visitation will be on Thursday October 10th 2024, from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m., at McMurrough Funeral Home, 101 Park Place in Libertyville, IL. Her funeral mass will be on Friday October 11th 2024, at 10:30 a.m., at St Joseph Catholic Church, 121 E. Maple Ave. in Libertyville, IL. Interment will be immediately following mass at Lakeside Cemetery, 600 Lake Street in Libertyville, IL. All are invited to a celebration of life luncheon at 12:15 p.m., at Mickey Finn’s Brewery, 345 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Libertyville, IL, where some of Kate’s favorite foods will be served. You are welcome to bring your favorite photo of Kate to hang on her memory wall at the reception.
Kate, until we see you again, may you enjoy a brilliant movie in a dark theatre, while eating mini saltine crackers and Sour Patch Kids.
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