Francine "Fran" Mendler Lake

Survived by her husband, Jonathan M. Lake and 5 daughters, Jennifer Graver (Michael), Lori Ceyhun (Haluk), Erin Friend (Asher), Meredith Petrone (James) and Julia Jacobson (Stephen) and fourteen grandchildren, Loren, Max and Josh Graver, Jace and Levi Ceyhun, Ari, Eli and Ezra Friend, Jonah, Aimee Tess and Charles Petrone, and Liam, Jack, and Ellie Jacobson. She is also survived by her brother, Joel Mendler (Toby); sisters-in-law, Lorraine Lake Williams and Marilyn Lake Neumann along with nieces, nephews and cousins. She was the daughter of the late Margot and Leopold Mendler.

Fran graduated from Fortier High School and received her Master’s degree in Education from the University of New Orleans in 1972. She taught special education as well as grades kindergarten through twelfth grades. She was the lower school principal of Ridgewood Preparatory School of Metairie, LA. Fran loved traveling to visit her family and was present for every momentous occasion. She loved playing and winning board and card games and she enjoyed cooking, especially with her grandchildren, and experimenting with new recipes.

Fran was President of the New Orleans Chapter of Hadassah and received the Woman of Valor Award in 2007 and the Southern Woman Valor Award in 1997. She received the Bernard Mintz Award for the Anti-Defamation League in 2010 and the Avodah Partners in Justice Award in 2018. She served on the boards of Jewish Family Service, Jewish Children’s Regional Service, Jewish Community Day School and Beth Israel Congregation. She was a member of Congregation Gates of Prayer and National Council of Jewish Women. She rarely said no when asked to volunteer and her greatest attribute was involving others in her volunteer efforts and projects. She loved going out for breakfast, lunch and dinner and was always ready to try a new restaurant in New Orleans. Her claim to fame was that there was not a restaurant in the city she had not tried with family and friends. She was the glue that helped everyone stay close and bond tightly. Her philosophy was inclusion. She was appreciative of her loyal, caring and loving family and friends that made it “all about her”. Her life was a blessing to all of us.

A private graveside service will be held.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the New Orleans Chapter of Hadassah, Congregation Gates of Prayer, or the charity of your choice.

To view and sign the family guestbook, visit lakelawnmetairie.com