Lois Mendell

Born January 23, 1930, in New York, Lois is survived by her three children and their families – Stefanie Mendell, Stefanie’s husband Richard Johnson, their son Ronnie M. Johnson, Brian and Lisa Mendell, and Toni Mendell Powell.

She is also survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Roberta and Harvey Wolf, her sister-in-law Selma Maged, her niece Stacey Wolf James and Stacey’s husband Bob James, her nephew Evan Wolf and his wife Lisa Wolf, her nephews Brandon Maged and Douglas Maged, and numerous great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and their families.

Lois was predeceased by her husband Edmund Mendell, her parents Samuel and Gilda Freeman, and by an infant son, Robert.

Lois earned a BA degree in Education from Queens College. She taught elementary school off and on. She was a voracious reader and shared her love of reading with her family and her students.

Lois was a fabulous hostess and cook, with brisket, marble cake, ice box cake, and magic cookie bars among her specialties. Family and friends cherish fond memories of Thanksgiving feasts and Passover celebrations over the years.

Lois earned the rank of Gold Life Master in the American Contract Bridge League and would have reached Sapphire if not for the COVID pandemic. In fact, Lois’s physical and mental decline was most likely accelerated due to the isolation and curtailment of activities resulting from the pandemic.

That being said, Lois was looking forward to pain-free dancing with her husband in the afterlife, and to resuming playing duplicate bridge.

The family would like to express our appreciation to the Assisted Living Staff at The Cardinal at North Hills, especially Mary Ann McLaughlin, and to the staff at Transitions Lifecare.

Funeral service will be held 10:30am Monday, May 8, at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 1701 E Millbrook Road, with burial to follow at Raleigh Hebrew Cemetery. A Zoom link will be provided.

The family will sit shiva on Monday night and Tuesday night, May 8 and 9. A Zoom link will be provided.

In lieu of flowers, please direct memorial contributions to Beth Meyer Synagogue (BethMeyer.org), the Jimmy V Foundation (www.v.org), or Transitions Lifecare (TransitionsLifecare.org).

Tributes can be made to the family at www.brownwynneeastmillbrook.com and by clicking "add a memory" below.