Personal tributes from Brothers at the Charterhouse, on the news of the death of John Mitchell.

It is with great sadness that the Charterhouse has learnt of the sudden death of His Honour John Mitchell. A recently retired Circuit and Family Court Judge, John and his wife Marlene were great friends of the Charterhouse. Both had been volunteers, regularly visiting residents of our Infirmary. Moreover, they often attended the Brothers’ Reading group where they would recommend books and John especially would lead group discussions. In recent years, John had been conducting in-depth research on the Carthusian Order at the London Charterhouse. Our prayers and thoughts are with Marlene and her family at this very sad time.
Stephen McGhee

I am very sad and shocked to hear of the loss of John Mitchell. He and Marlene were indeed real friends of the Charterhouse. They really loved its history and were genuinely engaged with its daily existence and concerned with the well being of the Brothers. I was one of the many who knew only kindness from them and thought of them as true friends.

I had the privilege of coordinating John’s excellent dramatic reconstruction of the Dissolution of the Carthusian Monastery and the martyrdom of the Prior and some monks. ‘The World Falls Apart’. It was a subject that interested him with a deep passion and on which he had given a memorable Thomas Sutton lecture. As a new Brother, it was this event which made me feel both part of this wonderful place’s history as well as a full member of the community.

My love to dear Marlene at this time and prayers for the whole family.
Charles Duff

John Mitchell very rarely missed a meeting of the Reading Group and was a great support to me as chairman. He was very well read and frequently suggested books for us to read. He was also always willing to volunteer to introduce a book himself. When he did so, his introductions were well-informed, fluently expressed and couched in terms accessible to all members of the group. His friendly and encouraging presence will be very sadly missed by us all.
Dudley Green

…and from the Infirmary

The staff of the infirmary will really miss the calm and supportive contribution that John made with his regular visits to support Brother Tony Woodcock. John used to take Tony out in his wheelchair down to the river or the Tate with a little visit to the pub for a chat and a drink and Tony always used to come home to the Charterhouse refreshed and happy.