Mary Lee Mandel
Mary Lee Mandel (nee Hartnett) On Wednesday, May 23, after a courageous battle against cancer. She leaves behind many friends and loved ones, including her husband of 53 years, Gerry Mandel; her daughter Holly Michelle Mandel of Los Angeles; her son Gregg Chaplin Mandel of Chicago, and her sisters Anne Dunning of St. Louis and Susan Vanderbosch of Chicago. For those who knew her or even just met her, she was a vivacious, gregarious, and warm-hearted individual who loved life until the end, treasured her friends, her Golden Retrievers, and especially her family. She brightened the lives of everyone she met with her enthusiasm, sense of humor, and positivity. She liked to see the Cards win, read good books, watch inspired movies, hear “live” music, and was always up for fun and adventure.
Mary Lee graduated from St. Joseph’s Academy, attended San Diego State College, and enjoyed a stimulating and varied career path that included Ozark Airlines, KMOX-TV (where she met her husband-to-be), Famous-Barr/Macy’s, and the food brokerage business. She brought the gift of language to people through her work with the St. Louis Literacy Council.
These words from Winnie the Pooh sustained her until the end: “You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we’re apart, I’ll always be with you.” As she will always be with us.
Services: No services planned at this time. An event to celebrate her life will be held at a later date. To honor her, you may send a donation to any of the following: Elephant Aid International, Endangered Species Coalition, Wilderness Society, or Evelyn’s House (part of BJC), where her final days were spent with extraordinary care and consideration.
Gerry,
I was so very sorry to hear about Mary Lee’s passing and I’m glad to have had a chance to see you with her not that long ago when we met at the Tivoli festival screening late last year.
I recall how when you and I would get together – even though it may have been only one or two hours since you’d seen Mary Lee – one of you would call the other, and you’d have a big smile on your face, very animated, joy in your voice, always ending with “I love you,” and I’d think to myself, this is amazing, they sound like love birds, like they hadn’t talked to each other in years! Something for the rest of us to aspire to.
I’m sorry, Gerry, that you’re having to bear the loss of Mary Lee and I’m thankful to have gotten a hug from her in the theater lobby before we all went out separate ways.
Kindest regards,
Frank
Gerry, I am very saddened to learn you lost your gal. I met Mary Lee on perhaps two occasions. But she made a lasting impression on me as an outgoing, very welcoming, inclusive lady. I know you will miss her deeply and that is what makes me feel so badly about her passing… the pain of loss for you and your family. Be strong and be even more creative in her memory. A friend of yours, Bill Mund