Virginia Mitchell is no stranger to a day at the office.
With a law-related employment record of over 70 years, she could probably assemble an abstract backward with her eyes closed.
And at 88 years of age, Mitchell is one of the closest things to an “expert” you can find at her current employment office, McPherson County Abstract and Title.
“I love to be busy,” said Mitchell.
An obvious truth, she frequently returns to work, even after her 15 years of employment and two retirements from the business.
Mitchell began working at McPherson County Abstract under president Alfred Hawkinson, who had been a classmate of hers.
The position of company president has now been passed on to Jeff Foster, whom she claims is one of the reasons that prompted her to stay after retirements.
“Jeff has been so wonderful to me,” Mitchell said.
Since Mitchell is not able to do work on computers, Foster calls her in when there are orders for abstracts. Depending on the amount of work, this could mean driving from her house on the farm for a couple of days or a couple of weeks.
The typing and shorthand skills she has utilized during her lengthy career were learned during her two years at McPherson High School.
“It was very easy for me,” said Mitchell.
Following attendance at McPherson College, she began working for various lawyers and law firms in the area that needed abstracts to be assembled.
When secretaries went on vacation, they asked her to fill in, she said of her many employers.
She also worked for a short time for Farmers Alliance.
“I can’t tell you how many shorthand tablets I’ve filled,” she said.
Mitchell seems to have made it though her near three-quarter-century of work experiences with a positive outlook.
“You have to face each day with a good attitude and be happy with what you have,” she said.
In addition to her hobbies of cooking, reading, and crosswords, Mitchell enjoys spending time with her family nearby.
She has three children, nine grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and four remaining siblings — one of which is her twin sister.
For these future-generation workers and those like them, Mitchell has but one piece of advice: “Be diligent and try to produce accurate work. It’s your responsibility to do the best you can.”
Mitchell will indeed follow her own advice and plans on working “as long as I am able.”
