Valentown Greetings,

It is with much sorrow that Historic Valentown and the Victor Historical Society must let you know of the passing of our President, David A. Mitchell (husband of so recently passed on Harriett (Hoopie) Neville).  We are all again in a state of disbelief and shock. David became involved with Valentown while Harriet was serving as our President.

In the short tenure of his position, David accomplished a lot for Valentown. The Hall porch is beautifully lit up again at night now thanks to his sleuthing out the electric in the building, but his most significant contribution would be the effort and energy he put into directing the replacement of the Hall roof. Because of this new roof, many of our issues with the building have disappeared and we may now move forward with our plan to repair and update the rest of the building.

David loved being outdoors, hiking, camping, + biking and had serious interests in professional photography. It was rare to see him at Valetown without at least one of his cameras hanging on him.David had a quiet, non-intrusive demeanor as he worked with us around the Hall and the Valentown grounds, and we owe many wonderful photo's taken on the property to him. When he joined us to fulfill the presidency left by his wife's untimely passing, he dedicated himself to continuing her commitments to Valentown.

David passed from a non-covid related infection unexpectedly on December 29, 2020 at the age of 70.In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to the charity of your choice, or the Victor Historical Society, Friends of Ganondagan, or Garth Fagan Dance.

It is not easy to let yet another person we know so well become another part of our own history and so soon.  We are all connected and defined by the absence of special people who made a difference our lives.  History teaches us that we should all share the responsibility to remember and record that person's name and tell their individual story.  David Mitchell will always be a part of Historic Valentown.

Our deepest sympathy goes out to David's family and friends, he was a very special person and is dearly missed by all of us at Historic Valentown.
 
As always, we are your down home hometown museum.

Kathryn White, President
Historic Valentown - VHS

 

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For those wishing, donations may be made in her name to:
 Garth Fagan Dance, 50 Chestnut Street, Rochester, NY 14604
(www.garthfagandance.org),
-or-
 Historic Valentown/Victor Historical Society, P. O. Box 472, Victor, NY 14564
(www.historicvalentownmuseum.org).