Gloria Fay Madison Mandel
Born May 22, 1938 in Albany, New YorkDeparted December 9, 2023 in Melbourne, Florida
Gloria Fay Madison Mandel was born on May 22, 1938 in Albany, New York and passed away surrounded by her family on December 9, 2023 in Melbourne, Florida. She was the daughter of Arnold Madison and Dolly Putnam Madison, but she was raised from Day 1 by her grandparents, Sam and Jennie Madison.
Internment was at Mt. Nebo Memorial Gardens in Miami, Florida on December 13, 2023. Shiva was observed at Temple Beth Sholom in Melbourne, Florida on December 19, 2023.
Gloria is survived by her devoted husband, Robert Mandel, MD, her daughter Lori Beth Gilbert(Glenn),son David Mandel, PhD, grandchildren Alex Pinter, DO(Julia), Ashlyn Pinter, Samuel Mandel, sister Patti Grossberg(Robert), brother Jerome Madison and nieces Nadine Miller(Dennis) and Andrea Haber, brother-in-law Tom Mandel(Mina) and multiple grandnieces and grandnephews and a host of longtime friends. She was a wonderful wife, friend and partner, mother and grandmother and it is a great shame that her greatgrandchildren will never know her. Everyone that met her instantly loved her.
She met Robert at Miami Beach Senior High School and he was instantly in love with her and they were together for over 68 years, sharing an amazing life.
Gloria was definitely a people person. In high school she was a very beautiful cheerleader and a member of the National Beta Club. Her extensive involvement with service organizations and numerous personal clubs and activities began when she and her daughter accompanied Robert to Okinawa where she became a member of multiple medical military wives organizations as well as taking many Ikebana and oriental cooking courses. When the Mandels moved to Melbourne in 1973, she quickly joined the Temple Sisterhood and became President multiple times.
Soon after arriving in Melbourne she became an active Sustainer in the Junior League of South Brevard. She attended monthly meetings and participated in many of their community educational projects. One of her favorite projects was a large Hannukiah demonstration at the Festival of Trees. She was very proud of her personal Hannukiah collection numbering over 140. They have been divided among her family and friends and also many were donated to the TBS Judaica Shop.
The Garden Club by the Sea was very important to her, actively participating in numerous projects and serving as the Chaplain for many years. The club will be celebrating Arbor Day at Lily Park in Indialantic on Friday, January 19, 2024 at 11:00 am. They will be planting a Tamarind Tree in Gloria’s memory. Everyone is welcome.
There will be Celebration of Gloria’s Life on Sunday, January 21, 2024 at 2:30 pm at Temple Beth Sholom on N. Wickham Road. Everyone is encouraged to offer their memories, feelings and relationships to Gloria.
In lieu of flowers, donations are recommended to the following organizations:
Temple Beth Sholom
Temple Beth Sholom Sisterhood
Junior League of the Space Coast
Garden Club by the Sea