Barbara Mitchell had a long title at Valley Medical Center: senior vice president for Human Resources and Marketing.

But it was really the short words that spoke to her as a person and colleague: Mom, grandma, friend, fair, gracious, tenacious.

All those words were used Wednesday to describe Mitchell at a celebration of her life at the medical center’s Healing Garden. Mitchell died earlier this month.

That bright color was an important part of her life was much in evidence, with colorful scarves  worn by the hundreds in attendance and the bright balloons sent aloft by them carrying messages to her.

Mitchell left her own mark behind and in doing so helped improve the medical care available to everyone served by Valley Medical.  Her words and vision helped shape Valley’s message of caring and care for its patients and employees. In the larger community, her advice and wisdom were sought after.

That is how Barbara Mitchell will be remembered.