SABATTUS — Hilda C. Mitchell, 90, of Gray, died April 9, at a Sabattus care facility, following a brief illness.

She was born Dec. 26, 1921, and raised in Litchfield, the daughter of Delmar and Genevieve Small. She resided for seven years on Oak Hill in Litchfield, 24 years in Lisbon Falls and 42 years in Gray.

Hilda was a dedicated mother to her children. She introduced them to the joys of music, nature, hiking, cross-country travel and learning. She herself was salutatorian of her class at Litchfield Academy. She also enjoyed raising flowers, canning, sewing and being with her grandchildren.

She leaves her husband of 72 years, F. Emerson Mitchell; one brother, Leo Small of Gardiner; seven children; 15 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild; her children include, Winifred Sweet of Valparaiso, Fla., Patricia Lapidus of New Haven, Conn., Meredith Ward of Madison, Wayne Mitchell of Gray, Brenda Schaff of Gray, Rhoda Mitchell of Santa Fe, N.M., and Deb Thompson of Scarborough.