Isabel Deane Mitchell facts for kids

Isabel "Ida" Deane Mitchell (1879 – 23 March 1917) was an Irish Presbyterian medical missionary. She dedicated her life to helping people in China through medicine. Her work made a big difference in the lives of many.

Isabel Mitchell's Inspiring Journey

Early Life and Education

Isabel Deane Mitchell was born in 1879 in Belfast, Ireland. Her father, Rev. Deane Knox Mitchell, was a minister. Her mother came from Scotland. Isabel was the fourth of five children. She had two sisters and two brothers.

When Isabel was about to go to university, she met Mrs. Sarah Greig. Mrs. Greig was the wife of a missionary doctor working in Manchuria. Talking with Mrs. Greig inspired Isabel to study medicine. She wanted to become a missionary doctor too.

Many of Isabel's family members also worked in the church. Her brother David became a minister. Her sister Janie married Rev. J. McWhirter. Janie and her husband went to China as missionaries in 1908. Isabel's other sister married a local Irish minister.

Isabel started studying at Queen Margaret University when she was 18. She studied there for six years. Her father's church helped pay for her studies. She was a very good student. She earned four medals and two special prizes.

Working Before China

From 1903 to 1905, Isabel worked as a house-surgeon. She worked at a clinic in Chorlton-on-Medlock, Manchester. She could not travel to China right away. This was because of the Russo-Japanese War. The war made travel difficult.

Medical Missionary in China

In the autumn of 1905, Isabel finally sailed for China. She traveled with Sara MacWilliams and Reverend F.W.S O’Neill. She was going to work as a missionary. She worked for the Women's Association of Foreign Missions. This group was part of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland.

In November 1905, she arrived at the mission station in Fakumen. She immediately started learning Mandarin. This helped her talk to the local people.

Building a Hospital

Isabel often wrote letters to her mother. In these letters, she described what she saw and did. In 1907, a new house for women was opened at the mission. Then, on 16 October 1909, a new women's hospital opened. This hospital was later called "the first modern hospital" in the area. It was a very important place for medical care.

Isabel returned to Ireland in October 1910. She planned to stay for one year. However, she became ill. This delayed her return to China until 1912.

Continuing Her Work

When she returned, Isabel spent a year in Chinchow, Manchuria. She did lighter work while she recovered. Once she was well, she went back to Fakumen. There, she continued her medical work. She also trained people to help in the clinic. She taught classes for teachers and Sunday school.

Isabel tried to start a fund. This fund would help train Chinese women in Western medicine. Sadly, she was not successful in setting it up.

Isabel's Legacy

On Friday, 16 March, Isabel felt very tired after her clinic and teaching. The next day, she had a sore throat. Doctors, including other missionaries, came to see her. She was diagnosed with diphtheria. She seemed to get better at first. But then, she died suddenly on 23 March 1917.

A special service was held for her on 26 March 1917. She was buried in the Russian cemetery in Kurin. This was near where her sister lived as a missionary wife.

Elder Shang, a local Christian leader, spoke at her funeral. He said, "Our doctor has given her life for us. For twelve years she has been at the call of any one who suffered. She was like a man in her strength, and rose at any hour of the night or day to help us. Her name is known and revered through all this country."

Later, some of Isabel's letters to her mother were published. Her former colleague, Reverend F.W.S. O’Neill, put them together. The book was called Dr Isabel Mitchell of Manchuria. It shares her amazing story and dedication.