Mendel, Lois Ellen, 88, passed away on January 2, 2023, at the memory care facility in which she had been living, in Falls Church, VA. She was preceded in death by her first husband Eric Mendel, second husband Jordan Taylor, infant son Andrew Mendel and her parents Barnard and Jeannette Cohen. Lois is survived by her daughter Jacqueline Mendel (Christopher Johnson) of Arlington, VA; sons Richard Mendel (Paula Labieniec) of Chesterfield, VA and David Mendel (Stephanie Gold) of Bethesda, MD; step-daughters Judy Apicella (Salvatore) of New Milford, CT and Susan Taylor (Allan Bahoric) of NYC; nine grandchildren: Eric and Phillip Johnson, Erica Mendel (Russell Horowitz), Jacob, Benjamin, Jonah, Zoe and Aliza Mendel, and Nico Apicella; sister-in-law Gert Trbovich; and two nieces and a nephew.
Lois, an only child of immigrant parents, was born on March 30, 1934, in Mount Vernon, NY and grew up in the Bronx, NY. She was salutatorian of her senior class at James Monroe High School in the Bronx and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from City College of New York (CCNY), where she was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. It was at CCNY where Lois met her husband Eric Mendel on a blind date. Following her graduation from CCNY, Lois taught English for several years in the New York City public school system.
In 1965, Lois and Eric said goodbye to New York City and moved the family to the Town of LaGrange, near Poughkeepsie, NY, where they gradually but happily adapted to more rural surroundings. Lois was passionate about education and passed that passion on to her children. While actively encouraging and supporting her children’s academic and extracurricular activities, Lois gained her New York State Teaching certificate and re-entered the workforce as a substitute teacher in the late 1970’s. She also became a certified realtor.
For much of her adult life, Lois was an active member of Vassar Temple, where, after Eric’s passing, she met her second husband Jordan Taylor, and celebrated her own bat mitzvah. Lois and Jordan enjoyed traveling together, taking trips to Europe and Quebec, Canada, where Lois could practice her French language skills. Later in life, she fulfilled her dream of visiting Israel and enjoyed a music tour of New Orleans and Cajun country with dear friend Lyn Birenbaum. Lois loved family events and being a grandmother, attending kids’ games, performances and birthdays as much as she could. Over her lifetime Lois made many close friends, to whom she remained loyal. She had a wonderful sense of humor, enjoyed classical music, and was a New Your Times crossword puzzle and Scrabble wiz. She also liked to dance.
Lois maintained the highest ethical standards and had a strong sense of social justice. She was firm in her convictions and discerning in judgment and could express her opinions thoughtfully and eloquently. Without compromise, she and Eric instilled those values in their children. Lois will always be remembered as a caring, generous and loving person, and will be greatly missed. The Mendel family would like to thank the staff at The Kensington Falls Church and Vitas hospice for the care and comfort they provided.
A Funeral Service will be held on Sunday, January 8, 2023, at 2PM at Vassar Temple, 140 Hooker Ave, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601. Burial will follow in the family plot at Vassar Temple Cemetery, LaGrange Ave, Poughkeepsie, NY. Arrangements are under the direction of the Wm. G. Miller & Son FH, Inc. If you wish to send an online condolence, please visit our website at www.wmgmillerfuneralhome.com
In lieu of flowers, donations in remembrance of Lois can be made to Vassar Temple (https://vassartemple.org/donate-to-vt/), Planned Parenthood, or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.