Shirley Mandel

Shirley Mandel, 93, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 10, 2024. She was surrounded by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who cherished her beyond measure. Shirley was born on August 29, 1930 in Knoxville, Tennessee to the late Morris and Rose Robinson. Shirley’s sister, Dolly, and brother, David, adored their baby sister. She was one of 14 Robinson first cousins in Knoxville. After leaving her home state and settling in Houston, she remained a lifelong proud Tennessean and would talk fondly of Knoxville relations and memories to anyone who would listen. In Houston, a simple introduction by Shirley’s grandmother to her next-door neighbor changed her life, leading to 58 years of wedded bliss between Shirley and the late Joel Mandel. In addition to her beloved husband, Shirley was preceded in death by her son-in-law, Mark Kaplan; her sister and brother and numerous other family and close friends. She is survived by her children, Cindy Mandel Kaplan, Barry Mandel and Scott Sawyer, and Marlene and Dan Siegman; grandchildren, Romy and Laura Kaplan, Micah and Caroline Kaplan, David and Netta Siegman, Adam and Michal Siegman, and Dylan Siegman; great-grandchildren, Mark Kaplan, Rose Kaplan and A.J. Siegman. A memorial service for Shirley will be held following a private graveside service on Sunday, July 14, 2024 at 2:00 PM in the Freedman-Levit Sanctuary at Congregation Beth Yeshurun, 4525 Beechnut St. Houston, TX 77096. For those wishing to view the service remotely, please use the following Live Stream link: https://boxcast.tv/view/memorial-service-avpwg4ojo6mt8eova7gl?b=bm1akzzyh5jrpgphat7w . Judaism was an essential part of Shirley’s life, so her family suggests that donations be made in her memory to the Congregation Beth Yeshurun Sisterhood Israel Bonds Fund, which Shirley was very proud to have started with her dear friend, Sidney Pozmantier z”l. Donations can be made at the following link: www.bethyeshurun.org/payment.php . More detailed instructions will be provided near the register book before and after the service. Also, memorial donations may be made to the charity of your choice. Shirley was filled with gratitude and appreciation for everything, every day of her life and we, in turn, are grateful and appreciative of her. While Shirley lived by her father’s motto of “everything in moderation,” love was something she seemed to never have a diminishing supply of and she happily shared it indiscriminately.

Shirley Mandel

August 29, 1930 - July 10, 2024