Age 93 of St. Paul
Passed away on December 4, 2024 surrounded by her adoring family. Born July 1, 1931 to Eugene and Therese Le Claire, Joan attended St. Francis de Sales School in St. Paul and was a graduate of Monroe High School. On September 8, 1951, she married Jerome (Jerry) Mandel. The two cherished a 66-year marriage before his death in 2018.
Joan’s life was filled with family, friends and faith. She raised seven children and doted lovingly on her 15 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren until the day she passed. A loyal parishioner of the Church of the Assumption in St. Paul, Joan served faithfully and eagerly as a volunteer at the Church of Assumption and the Dorothy Day Shelter. What little free time her busy family life afforded her was filled with golf, downhill skiing, playing bridge and cooking—although there was rarely a recipe in sight. She followed many of Minnesota’s sports teams and enjoyed countless Hallmark movies. Joan was an engaging conversationalist and possessed an uncanny ability to connect with people of all ages and from all walks of life. Joan and Jerry loved to travel and passed that love on to their children through family road trips across the country. They vacationed internationally, as well as traveling to each of the 50 states.
Joan was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings: Donald, Jeanne and Robert; her soulmate Jerry; and her humble and loving son James (Jim). She is survived by her children: Jodell Vidas, Jerome, Jr. (LuAnn), daughter-in-law Phyllis, Mary Walker (Chris), Mark (Keely), Gregory (Andrea), and Christopher (Jennifer); her grandchildren: Julie, Brian, Ashley, Andrew, Alexander, Lindsay, Michael, Laura, Mitchell, Michaela, Grace, Benjamin, Henry, Jack and Oliver; and her great-grandchildren: Katherine, Owen, Lauren, Addison, Blair, Isla, Sloane, Spencer, Wes, Lincoln, Lilah, Joseph, Raymond, Maxwell, Bodhi, Isaac and Joanie.
A Celebration of Life for Joan will be held in 2025. Please check back for updates. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Joan’s memory may be made to the Church of the Assumption (51 7th Street West, St. Paul) or the charity of your choice.
“Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” Psalms 23:5-6