Ina May Mitchell

Ina May Mitchell, 86, passed away on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at Westview Health Care Center in Sheridan, WY.

Ina was born at home in a seaside suburb of Brisbane Australia. She was the youngest child of Roderick and Violet Forbes. She joined siblings Douglas, Roderick, Heather, Mary Keith, Mavis, Wallace and Robert.  Sadley her father died when she was twelve years old. While in Junior High, she applied for a Teachers Scholarship. This scholarship allowed Ina to continue with her education, and she graduated from Teachers College and started her teaching career at the age of eighteen. Ina was a teacher for twelve years including three in the Australian Outback.

Ina traveled to the United States three times; during school vacations to visit her sister Mary an Australian War Bride. It was her third visit that she met Erle Simpson. Erle and Ina married and settled on the Wagon Box Ranch in Story, raising sons E.J. and Scott. Ina became an American citizen. Sadly, Erle passed away in 1980. Five years later Ina married Thad Mitchell. The couple lived in Story till Thad retired, and they moved to Sheridan. Thad passed away in 2021.

Ina travelled to many states in the U.S. and Australia and many countries in her lifetime. She travelled to Scotland twice and met family members she had traced through genealogy. Ina had many hobbies including tole and acrylic painting. She sewed, knitted and crocheted and enjoyed card games with friends.

Ina was a member of the Story Woman’s Club and a chapter of the Beta Sigma Phi. She served as secretary and president of both organizations at one time. She was past secretary of Wyoming Homemakers and received the Quealy award in 2007.

Ina had a great love for her extended family members and was a very special mother, aunt, grandmother, great grandma and friend…

Ina will be cremated, and her ashes returned to Australia. The ashes will be thrown in the Pacific Ocean near her childhood home. A family tradition…

A Celebration of Life is at 1:00 P.M., Saturday, April 4, 2026, at Story Woman’s Club, 28 North Piney, Story, WY.

Online condolences may be made to www.sheridanfuneral.com. Arrangements are under the care of Sheridan Funeral Home.