Hi Desmid, 
I'm Mark's sister. Your entry was clearly written from the heart and made me smile. Thank you so very much. We all miss her terribly. 

I was inspired to put up a photograph I took on one of our many, many trips down to North Carolina.We decided to come back via Shenandoah National Park,driving the beautiful Skyline Drive in July 2006. Rene was always a wonderful driving companion, and her gentle philosophies on "getting lost while driving" often stood us in good stead. LOL!

Dear Mark, Susannah and Jeremy,

It has taken me a couple months to be able to read and respond since I heard the sad news. Rene will always be in my heart as I knew her in the 1970s, my first role model of a competent balabosta, as our new mom's group met weekly in Albany Village (CA). Those were the days of toddler Sus with the curly hair, and toddler Shaya with the very straight hair. I was so grateful for all the calm advice I received from Rene. On your family's later return visit to Berkeley in the late 80s, I was able to see a much more grown-up Sus, and meet Jeremy as well. 

Mark, Susannah and Jeremy, I haven't seen you in the years since then, but your family has always been in my heart. You were part of a very formative time in my life and while Rene's sad loss is most of all unbearable for you, a piece of me has been torn away as well. 

I send you my love, and wishes that your memories of Rene over all the years you had together, will help you and give you strength now.

__I miss you__

What good's a bed
where there's no You?
-- I guess "for sleep"
will have to do.

So carry on
and carry through.

And do.

I just learned of Rene's passing today and am very saddened by it.

I didn't know her well in person, but the person I knew online was strong, smart, and had a sense of humor and a zest for life that was beyond inspirational.  Having had two immediate family members die of the same thing (my father and his father), I was amazed by the perpetual sense of humor and optimism she showed through the whole ordeal.

Dear Rene, I remember your bringing friends together from far and near.  I remember your delicious lasagna. I remember your quiet and supportive friendly presence.  I remember your lending me your shower when I had none.  I remember your keeping the course of events well-focused and on track.  I remember your acceptance of this new stranger into the fold of the community.  Thank you for your presence in my life.

At our wedding we danced the first hora together --
Tradition we couldn't refuse -- 
And you laughed as I painfully pulled my sore feet --
From my brand-new, unbroken-in shoes.

Mark: Both my fianceé Mary and I are deeply shocked and sorrowed to hear you have lost your wife and partner of so many years. You have our deepest sympathies and we are at your disposal for anything you may need that we can provide...even if it's only an ear to listen.

I am even more sad to learn that cancer is what took her from you, as it took my own mother over a decade and a half ago. I wish I had known Rene better than I did, for it seems I missed out on knowing a truly marvelous person. I hope you and your family can come through this time of grieving soon and be stronger for her having been here.

A cat in a hat
Sharp wit, strong will, love to spare
My beautiful friend, Rene

Hearts are bleeding for your loss.
Sending heartfelt sympathy.
(~ Oct. 24)

Dear Mark,

We were so saddened to hear of Rene's passing, & you & your family have been in our thoughts & prayers. What a devastating loss. May her memory truly be a blessing to all who knew her. We regret we will be out of town for her memorial but will be in touch about bringing food sometime soon.
Love,
Jen Walker & Billy Brown

I will always hold cousin Rene very dearly in my heart, bright soul that she is. The world is a better place for her having been here. This description of the snow lion is one way I think of  Rene: "The Snow Lion resides in the East and represents unconditional cheerfulness, a mind free of doubt, clear and precise.. the Snow Lion has a youthful, vibrant energy of goodness and a natural sense of delight.  Associations: main quality is fearlessness, dominance over mountains, and the earth element."

– The Four Dignities, Rudy Harderwijk

I was listening again to a song by my friend Gary McGath, "Bury Me Under a Star". It says more than I had ever realized before about my love for Rene and my feelings about how she lives on in me and in all who knew her.

With Gary's permission, you can find the words, the printed music, and the (notes about it) in his online songbook at http://mcgath.com/retune.pdf, pp. (46), 47-48; and also an earlier publication at http://www.mcgath.com/filks.html#buryme. So I won't quote it all here, just one quatrain:

 Take up the best you saw in me
 For life, not just in memory,
 And when you win some victory,
 Then I'll be where you are.

A donation to Chai Lifeline
-- fighting illness with love: an organization dedicated to easing the lives of seriously ill children and their families--
has been made To All the Mandels
In memory of a lovely, sweet lady 
Rene Mandel
From
The Drors

We will miss Rene's big heart and smile at our doll club meetings but her spirit will always be with us.  My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.

Mark, Susanna and Jeremy,
I only met Rene once, but she was such a sweet person, nobody who ever EVEN met her once will ever forget her!
May her memory be a blessing!

Mark, Susannah, and Jeremy
I was so sorry to hear about Rene. I can only imagine how devastating this must be for you all. Please know that you are in my thoughts. Lots of love,
Gena

(Oct.24,2011)
Mark, Susannah, & Jeremy,
May it comfort you to know friends are thinking of you and remembering you in their prayers.
We all share in your loss. Rene was a warm and generous friend. Our prayers are with you all.
Love, Pat & Maureen

Rene and I grew up together - not only as cousins, but as friends.
We shared many adventures, from New York to Berkeley to Philadelphia.
She had a beautiful and loving heart. 
May her memory be a blessing to us all.

So Sorry to hear about Rene. Andi was keeping me posted and was so glad she got to visit her. Our deepest sympathies!
Bob Polans, Angela Ducker, Susan Leon.

Yesterday, I was cleaning my kitchen cupboards, and I found a crisp, new, one-dollar bill that Rene had left there for me (along with a small jar of honey) to wish me well in my new Texas home. We arrived here on Halloween, 2008. She had just had her first round of chemotherapy and still insisted on helping me drive 1700 miles to Texas, herding 3 noisy cats behind us all the way (bump, bumpity, bump). Somewhere in Arkansas, she THANKED me for allowing her to accompany me, adding, "I needed this assurance that I can continue to live my life as I want to". God bless her. I will miss her so.

May all the bright and wonderful memories in time outshine the pain.

Thinking of you all at this time of sadness.

You and your family will be in our thoughts and prayers, not only today, but also in the days and weeks to come.

(transcribed and sent by Norma Shulman)
9/9/03 - Recognition of Rene at the School Committee meeting on her planned move to PA 

On the Committee: Ann Mazola, Pam Richardson, Diane Throop, Phil Dinsky, David Miles, LJ Carroll, Dick Weader, Supt. Martel, student reps
 Starts at 3:35 on DVD, ends at 3:45 – my abbreviated transcription follows

The School Committee voted on a resolution honoring Rene's contributions, using terms like strong and vocal advocate for the schools, mentioned Alliance for Education Equity, TM Standing Ed Comm Chair, guest columnist and letters to the editor, intelligent, outspoken activist.
Long, standing applause

Rene responded briefly, mentioning that she had fallen in with the wrong crowd (naming our names)!

Pam: Rene would change the course of the discussion toward a good outcome.

LJ: cited Rene's mind and passion for the children.

Dick: improved the schools for everyone's kids.

Ann: count on Rene to respond to anything negative printed or said about the schools.

Diane: after seeing Rene's passion for education, she was sure the debt exclusion would pass, used “eloquent”.

Dr. Martel: he was shortchanged as he didn't know her as long, but was impressed by her writing that he read on the listserv before he got here.

Phil: her writings are so clear, result in a “I never thought of that” reaction, and again cited her passion for education, and is a “fighter”.

Student rep to SC: thank you for always being there for the students, with new and original ideas, her letters to the editor made them see times will be better.

Audrey Hall: for Rene, she is a grateful parent and resident, mentioned Rene as Secretary of the Alliance, co-author of the “primer” with Pam, made complex issues clear, researched and documented issues, her efforts exceed the boundaries of Framingham, an ace at research, articulation, and writing, hard work and determination, made a big difference.

Jeanne Bullock: cited her work on the Capital Budget Comm, but also good at other issues, listened and spoke well, will miss her.

Kathy Vassar: recalled Rene saying she could never speak in public when asked about being president of Townwide PTO.

Donna Howland: brought appreciation from the Library Board of Trustees, said she is a wise woman and was there for the libraries.

Katie Murphy: Rene is synonymous with education, welcoming to new parents, strong role model for parents, contributed to so many committees, boards, and campaigns, encyclopedic knowledge, work at the state house, we are kinder and better for her 
involvement.

Rep. Debbie Blumer: citation from the House of Rep (from Debbie and Karen Spilka), extraordinary commitment to education, when Rene writes, everyone stops to think..
[Rene then used the microphone to ask for more chapter 70 money.]

Sen. Dave Magnani: citation from the Senate, he used a quote about an “organic intellectual” who can stand back to see in a way to make us take action, and thanks for her political advice.

Norma Shulman: added appreciation from precinct 3 and the Democratic Town Committee, Rene points out the right way and keeps us on the right path, there is no better friend, advisor, information resource, and editor.

Everyone said she would be welcomed back from her “temporary” relocation to Philly. And they all expected that she would stay connected by email in the meantime.
Long standing applause again.

In Memory of Rene

To: Mark Mandel
From: Andrew and Noga

In your honor, a gift has been made to Heifer International to help struggling people around the world become self-reliant for food and income.

May this gift bring you joy as it brings hope to a family in need.
 

May Rene's memory be for a blessing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Mark. Love Andrew Noga and Lev

In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.

Dear Mark, Susanna and Jeremy,

I remember Rene as such a kind generous soul.  I never knew she loved dolls and making doll clothes.  This was a passion of mine as a child. What an innocent heart Rene had.  I wish I had known that we shared this!

May You Be Comforted Among The Mourners of Zion.

With love,

Madelyn Hoffman Finkelstein

Thank you, dear Sisters. She always valued your friendship and your love.

Dear Mark, Susanna and Jeremy,  Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers at this time of loss.  We have the fondest memories of Rene at Aquinas.
Sincerely, Sisters Eleanor K. Shea, Philomene Walsh and Marian Batho.

Mark, Susanna and Jeremy - I am so sorry for your loss. Now you have a guardian angel looking over you.

OBITUARIO

Rene Szafir Mandel

22 marzo, 1950 – 15 octubre, 2011

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