Emily Mitchell, a popular blogger and parent influencer who was pregnant with her fifth child, died unexpectedly three days before Christmas with her son who she planned to call Joey.
Mitchell, 36, wrote a blog about raising four young children and teaching them at home on his website, The Hidden Way. She also posted regular updates on Instagram, where she had 129,000 followers.
The Gaffney-Dolan Funeral Home in Westerly, Rhode Island, confirmed Mitchell’s death for TODAY. According to a family fundraising page, Mitchell was “having his toast breakfast when he suddenly went unanswered” on the morning of December 22.
“Despite the prompt attention of her children, husband, father and other medical professionals, all of her courageous efforts to resurrect were unsuccessful. She returned home to be with the Lord,” said a message on the website. “The doctors are still working on the answers for her family. We will update everyone with the answers when we have them.”
Mitchell and his unborn child, Joey, were pronounced dead at Westerly Hospital. She was 16 weeks pregnant, according to the Instagram update timeline she shared about her pregnancy. The cause of death has not yet been released.
Mitchell revealed her pregnancy for the first time in November, sharing a photo of her ultrasound with her husband, Joseph Mitchell.
“The number FIVE is coming and we are here for that,” she wrote in a caption for the photo posted on November 19. “Eleven weeks, two days and counting.”
Later, she shared her emotion again in a post that showed her cradling her belly.
“3 weeks tomorrow – sleeping like a legitimate fat and furry hibernating bear (read what you will see), smelling mint as if it were my job, yearning for leftover Thanksgiving and discovering boy or girl possibly THIS WEEK what do you think ? Girl number four? Or finally a brother to Finn ?? Should I try those gender tests of old wives in stories ??? I am thinking it might be necessary if they are right for you ??? “she wrote.
An online obituary celebrated Mitchell as a “dedicated wife and incredible mother for her four children”. She leaves her husband and their four children Finn, Isla, Eden and Luna.
Mitchell had a degree in music and psychology and was remembered as a “talented musician, singer, music artist and music teacher”.
“Her exuberant personality radiated externally in her interactions and relationships with everyone who knew her,” wrote her family in the obituary. “Emily was a symbol of strength during the most challenging times for many.”