Two Issaquah High teachers remembered
Mitchell, 55, suffered a stroke Friday and never regained consciousness. He died the next day at Overlake Hospital Medical Center in Bellevue.
Bradway, 60, took a leave of absence in April to undergo cancer treatment, then retired when she realized her condition was terminal.
Mike Gallagher, principal of Issaquah High, said staff members were stunned by the news. About two dozen people gathered Friday at school when they learned about Mitchell's stroke, he said. "People are in shock about (the deaths)," he said.
Mitchell retired two years ago after 13 years at Issaquah High, but the retirement was short-lived. Last fall he returned, teaching "film as literature" to juniors and seniors as well as sophomore English. He planned to teach again next year, said fellow teacher LaVonne Watson.
"He was a master teacher, and we just loved him," Watson said. "He would begin each class with, 'Good morning, or welcome, young scholars.' He was magnificent, especially in science-fiction literature. He made every single class session come alive."
Mitchell also coached the varsity boys basketball team from 1986 to 1992 and served as assistant girls basketball coach from 1993 to 1995.
Bradway, a teacher since 1963, joined the Issaquah High staff in 1997 to teach English and English as a second language. She brought to that assignment her broad life experiences, which included travel to 18 foreign countries and teaching jobs in China and Hong Kong.
"She was one of the most caring teachers I have ever seen," Watson said. "Many of her students hadn't been in the United States for a long time, and she had a marvelous way of crossing cultures ... and helping them acclimate to the culture here.
"She was a wonderful, wonderful lady."
Watson will host an informal remembrance of both teachers' lives for fellow staff members at her home Thursday evening.
Burial services for Mitchell are scheduled for 11 a.m. Thursday at Washington Memorial Park, 16445 International Blvd., SeaTac. Memorial services will be at noon Friday at Westminster Chapel, 13646 N.E. 24th St., Bellevue.
Mitchell is survived by his wife, Janean Mitchell; son Trenton "T.J." Mitchell; and daughter Shelby Mitchell.
A celebration of Bradway's life is scheduled for July 11 at her church, the Gathering Place, 2015 Richards Road S.E., Bellevue. Those attending are invited to wear yellow and bring balloons.
Bradway is survived by her sister, Linda Hill.
Diane Brooks can be reached at 206-464-2567 or dbrooks@seattletimes.com.