Shelby Mitchell passed away at home in Millsboro, Delaware on Wednesday, September 9, alongside family. She was 86 years old.

Shelby grew up in Brooklyn, New York, and spent her childhood with a close-knit family of her parents Dorothy and Robert, her brother Spencer, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. Shelby married Ronald Mitchell in 1961 after completing an associates degree.

While raising her children, Shelby went on to complete her Bachelor’s degree and then her Law degree from the University of Maryland. She became a member of the Maryland and Washington DC Bar Associations. An accomplished lawyer, she clerked for Maryland judges and practiced for many years in Washington.

As a retirement project, Ron and Shelby renovated an old mansion and turned it into a luxurious inn and restaurant in Easton, Maryland.

Ron and Shelby moved to Delaware in 2019 and surrounded themselves with many wonderful friends. Shelby was very active with the Independence community activities as well as volunteering her talents to aid with the People's Place mediation group for the Delaware Center for Community Justice. Shelby enjoyed spending time with her social clubs and she taught many new players about Mahjong and Canasta.

Shelby is survived by her two children Philip and Jonathan and daughter-in-law Jane, her grandsons Connor and Sean, her brother Spencer and sister-in-law Paula, and nieces and nephews Ezra, Andrew, Jane, Glenn, Jackie, Scott, Marnie, and David.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Shelby’s name to one of the following organizations:

• Women’s Law Center of Maryland 102 W. Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 100 Towson, MD 21204

• Independence Community Veterans Group 

• Delaware Hospice 100 Patriots Way Milford, DE 19963

Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.melsonfuneralservices.com.