Obituary of Sandra L. Mitchell

OXBOW – Sandra L. Mitchell, age 78, of Oxbow, passed away on May 4, 2025 under the care of her family and hospice. There will be a graveside service held in the Oxbow Cemetery on Saturday, May 10, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. Arrangements are with French Funeral Home in Gouverneur. Condolences may be shared online at www.frenchfuneralhomes.com. Sandra was born on April 5, 1947 in Antwerp to the late Lawrence T. and Melva M. (Reynolds) Sawyer. She attended school in Oxbow and Indian River. Sandra married Dean E. Mitchell on March 27, 1982. Dean passed away on May 17, 2016. A previous marriage to Larry Bango ended in Divorce. Sandra had driven bus Leon LaForty Bus Lines then worked for ACCO in Ogdensburg and took care of the elderly in her home from 1990 until her retirement in 2018. She enjoyed her flower gardens and crocheting. She is survived by four sons and their wives, Terry and Teresa Bango, Timothy Bango and Cindy Phair, John and Robyn Bango, and Gary Bango and Sandra Thibault, a brother, Larry and Cathy Sawyer, and two sisters, Pansy Higgins and Penny Slate. Sandra is also survived by 13 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. She is predeceased by her husband, Dean Mitchell, two sons, Tracey and Thomas Bango, a sister, Gloria Sawyer, two grandsons, Trevor and Adam, and twin great-granddaughters, Kaedence and Kierstin Brown. Her family wishes to thank Hospice of Jefferson County for their wonderful care. Donations in memory of Sandra may be made to the American Heart Association, Oxbow Fire Department, or Hospice of Jefferson County.